Intelligent battery cell with integrated monitoring and switches

ABSTRACT

Devices, systems, methods, computer-implemented methods, and/or computer program products to facilitate an intelligent battery cell with integrated monitoring and switches are provided. According to an embodiment, a device can comprise active battery cell material. The device can further comprise an internal circuit coupled to the active battery cell material and comprising: one or more switches coupled to battery cell poles of the device; and a processor that operates the one or more switches to provide a defined value of electric potential at the battery cell poles.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 63/059,300, filed Jul. 31, 2020, entitled “INTELLIGENTBATTERY CELL WITH INTEGRATED MONITORING AND SWITCHES.” The entirety ofthe aforementioned application is hereby incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND

The subject disclosure relates to a battery cell, and more specifically,to a battery cell with integrated monitoring and switches.

Currently, an electric driveline (e.g., an electric driveline used in anelectric vehicle) is based on a battery with a direct current (DC)voltage of approximately 370 volts (V). Many systems are designed aroundthis battery to protect and control the battery. Auxiliary units areused to generate alternating current (AC) voltage to run motors andcharge the battery. All these systems are complex and expensive and area source of errors.

At present, there are a number of different types of battery packscomprising multiple batteries and/or cells. Some example problems withsuch battery packs include: a) they are always on, that is, they alwayshave a live voltage (e.g., approximately 400V); and/or b) they provide aconstant voltage and therefore they use the auxiliary units describedabove to provide fluctuating voltage (e.g., AC voltage) and/or lowervoltage (e.g., 12V, 48V, etc.). In addition, there are a variety ofexisting battery management systems (BMS) that can be used in manydifferent systems. Some example problems with existing BMS include: a)they involve a set of sensor cables and/or submodules that addcomplexity and/or cost; b) they only monitor cell parameters (e.g.,temperature, pressure, etc.); c) they are not integrated inside thecell; and/or d) they do not provide integrated switch functionality.

SUMMARY

The following presents a summary to provide a basic understanding of oneor more embodiments of the invention. This summary is not intended toidentify key or critical elements, or delineate any scope of theparticular embodiments or any scope of the claims. Its sole purpose isto present concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the moredetailed description that is presented later. In one or more embodimentsdescribed herein, systems, devices, computer-implemented methods, and/orcomputer program products that facilitate an intelligent battery cellwith integrated monitoring and switches are described.

According to an embodiment, a device can comprise active battery cellmaterial. The device can further comprise an internal circuit coupled tothe active battery cell material and comprising: one or more switchescoupled to battery cell poles of the device; and a processor thatoperates the one or more switches to provide a defined value of electricpotential at the battery cell poles.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate orthogonal views of example, non-limitingdevices that can facilitate an intelligent battery cell with integratedmonitoring and switches in accordance with one or more embodimentsdescribed herein.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example, non-limiting circuit that can facilitatean intelligent battery cell with integrated monitoring and switches inaccordance with one or more embodiments described herein.

FIG. 4 illustrates example, non-limiting operation modes that canfacilitate an intelligent battery cell with integrated monitoring andswitches in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein.

FIG. 5 illustrates example, non-limiting electrical diagrams that canfacilitate an intelligent battery cell with integrated monitoring andswitches in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example, non-limiting diagram that can facilitatean intelligent battery cell with integrated monitoring and switches inaccordance with one or more embodiments described herein.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example, non-limiting plot that can facilitate anintelligent battery cell with integrated monitoring and switches inaccordance with one or more embodiments described herein.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example, non-limiting diagram that can facilitatean intelligent battery cell with integrated monitoring and switches inaccordance with one or more embodiments described herein.

FIG. 9 illustrates example, non-limiting electronic systems that canfacilitate an intelligent battery cell with integrated monitoring andswitches in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein.

FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate a top view and a cross-sectional side view,respectively, of an example, non-limiting electronic system that canfacilitate an intelligent battery cell with integrated monitoring andswitches in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein.FIG. 10C illustrates an example, non-limiting plot corresponding to theelectronic system of FIGS. 10A and 10B.

FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate example, non-limiting existing devices(e.g., prior art devices). FIG. 11C illustrates an example, non-limitingdevice that can facilitate an intelligent battery cell with integratedmonitoring and switches in accordance with one or more embodimentsdescribed herein.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example, non-limiting system that can facilitatean intelligent battery cell with integrated monitoring and switches inaccordance with one or more embodiments described herein.

FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate example, non-limiting circuits that canfacilitate an intelligent battery cell with integrated monitoring andswitches in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein.

FIG. 15 illustrates an example, non-limiting diagram that can facilitatean intelligent battery cell with integrated monitoring and switches inaccordance with one or more embodiments described herein.

FIG. 16 illustrates an example, non-limiting circuit that can facilitatean intelligent battery cell with integrated monitoring and switches inaccordance with one or more embodiments described herein.

FIG. 17 illustrates an example, non-limiting wire diagram that canfacilitate an intelligent battery cell with integrated monitoring andswitches in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein.

FIG. 18 illustrates an example, non-limiting wire diagram that canfacilitate an intelligent battery cell with integrated monitoring andswitches in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein.

FIGS. 19-27 illustrate flow diagrams of example, non-limitingcomputer-implemented methods that can facilitate an intelligent batterycell with integrated monitoring and switches in accordance with one ormore embodiments described herein.

FIG. 28 illustrates an orthogonal view of an example, non-limitingdevice that can facilitate an intelligent battery cell with integratedmonitoring and switches in accordance with one or more embodimentsdescribed herein.

FIGS. 29-30 illustrate flow diagrams of example, non-limitingcomputer-implemented methods that can facilitate an intelligent batterycell with integrated monitoring and switches in accordance with one ormore embodiments described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is merely illustrative and is notintended to limit embodiments and/or application or uses of embodiments.Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed orimplied information presented in the preceding Background or Summarysections, or in the Detailed Description section.

One or more embodiments are now described with reference to thedrawings, wherein like referenced numerals are used to refer to likeelements throughout. In the following description, for purposes ofexplanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to providea more thorough understanding of the one or more embodiments. It isevident, however, in various cases, that the one or more embodiments canbe practiced without these specific details. It will be understood thatwhen an element is referred to as being “coupled” to another element, itcan describe one or more different types of coupling including, but notlimited to, chemical coupling, communicative coupling, electricalcoupling, electromagnetic coupling, operative coupling, opticalcoupling, physical coupling, thermal coupling, and/or another type ofcoupling.

FIG. 1 illustrates an orthogonal view of an example, non-limiting device100 that can facilitate an intelligent battery cell with integratedmonitoring and switches in accordance with one or more embodimentsdescribed herein. Device 100 can comprise a battery device and/or abattery cell device that can be implemented in a variety of differentelectronic systems. In an embodiment, device 100 can be implemented as asingle battery device and/or a single battery cell device. In anotherembodiment, device 100 can be implemented as a single battery deviceand/or a single battery cell device in a battery pack (also referred toas a battery array, battery bank, power bank, etc.). In anotherembodiment, device 100 can be implemented as a single battery deviceand/or a single battery cell device in a battery pack used in anelectric driveline of an electric vehicle (EV).

As illustrated in the example embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, device 100can comprise a terminal 102 having cell poles 102 a, 102 b and/or acommunication port 102 c. In this embodiment, device 100 can furthercomprise a smart cell module 104 that can be coupled to terminal 102and/or cell poles 102 a, 102 b and further coupled to an active cellmaterial 106 and/or cell material poles 106 a, 106 b of active cellmaterial 106. In this embodiment, device 100 can further comprise acasing 108 that can encapsulate one or more components of device 100.For example, casing 108 can encapsulate active cell material 106, cellmaterial poles 106 a, 106 b, and/or smart cell module 104. In someembodiments, casing 108 can also encapsulate (e.g., partially or fully)terminal 102 and/or cell poles 102 a, 102 b. In the example embodimentillustrated in FIG. 1, device 100 can further comprise a gas evacuation110 that can be formed on a side of device 100 and/or casing 108.

Terminal 102 can comprise a battery terminal. Cell poles 102 a, 102 bcan comprise battery cell poles (e.g., a positive battery terminal and anegative battery terminal). Terminal 102 and/or cell poles 102 a, 102 bcan comprise an electrically conducting material that can facilitate thetransfer of electric current and/or voltage to and/or from smart cellmodule 104 and/or active cell material 106 (e.g., via cell materialpoles 106 a, 106 b).

Communication port 102 c can comprise a communication port that canenable a wired connection of device 100 (e.g., a wired connection ofsmart cell module 104) to another device (e.g., a computer, a controller(e.g., microcontroller), a transceiver, a processor, a memory, etc.).Although the example embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 comprisescommunication port 102 c that can facilitate a wired connection todevice 100 (e.g., to smart cell module 104), it should be appreciatedthat the subject disclosure is not so limiting. For example, in someembodiments, as described below, device 100 and/or one or morecomponents thereof (e.g., smart cell module 104) can comprise atransmitter, a receiver, and/or a transceiver that can facilitatewireless communication over a network (e.g., the Internet, etc.) betweendevice 100 (e.g., smart cell module 104) and another device (e.g., acomputing and/or communication device of an electric vehicle comprisingdevice 100, a computing resource in a cloud computing environment (e.g.,a virtual machine, a virtual computer, a server, a memory, etc.), and/oranother device).

Smart cell module 104 can comprise an intelligent (e.g., “smart”)separator (e.g., interface) between cell poles 102 a, 102 b (e.g.,external cell poles) of terminal 102 and cell material poles 106 a, 106b (e.g., internal cell poles) of active cell material 106. Smart cellmodule 104 can comprise an internal circuit of device 100. Smart cellmodule 104 can comprise an integrated circuit (IC) that can be formed ona substrate (e.g., a silicon (Si) substrate, etc.) using one or morefabrication techniques and/or materials described below.

Fabrication of device 100 and/or small cell module 104 can comprisemulti-step sequences of, for example, photolithographic and/or chemicalprocessing steps that facilitate gradual creation of electronic-basedsystems, devices, components, and/or circuits in a semiconducting and/ora superconducting device (e.g., an IC). For instance, small cell module104 can be fabricated on a substrate (e.g., a silicon (Si) substrate,etc.) by employing techniques including, but not limited to:photolithography, microlithography, nanolithography, nanoimprintlithography, photomasking techniques, patterning techniques, photoresisttechniques (e.g., positive-tone photoresist, negative-tone photoresist,hybrid-tone photoresist, etc.), etching techniques (e.g., reactive ionetching (RIE), dry etching, wet etching, ion beam etching, plasmaetching, laser ablation, etc.), evaporation techniques, sputteringtechniques, plasma ashing techniques, thermal treatments (e.g., rapidthermal anneal, furnace anneals, thermal oxidation, etc.), chemicalvapor deposition (CVD), atomic layer deposition (ALD), physical vapordeposition (PVD), molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), electrochemicaldeposition (ECD), chemical-mechanical planarization (CMP), backgrindingtechniques, and/or another technique for fabricating an integratedcircuit.

Device 100 and/or small cell module 104 can be fabricated using variousmaterials. For example, device 100 and/or small cell module 104 can befabricated using materials of one or more different material classesincluding, but not limited to: conductive materials, semiconductingmaterials, superconducting materials, dielectric materials, polymermaterials, organic materials, inorganic materials, non-conductivematerials, and/or another material that can be utilized with one or moreof the techniques described above for fabricating an integrated circuit.

Although the example embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 depicts smart cellmodule 104 positioned vertically in device 100 between terminal 102 andactive cell material 106, it should be appreciated that the subjectdisclosure is not so limiting. For example, in another embodiment, smartcell module 104 can be positioned (e.g., vertically, horizontally, etc.)in and/or on, for instance, casing 108, active cell material 106, abattery pack comprising device 100, and/or at another location in and/oron device 100 and/or such a battery pack comprising device 100.

Smart cell module 104 can be implemented in device 100 to form anintelligent battery cell that can comprise one or more integratedmonitoring components and/or switches that can facilitate differentparameter monitoring and/or collection operations and/or differentoperating modes of device 100 in accordance with one or more embodimentsof the subject disclosure described herein. For example, smart cellmodule 104 can comprise one or more sensors (not illustrated in FIG. 1)that can monitor and/or collect parameter data of device 100 and/or oneor more components thereof. For instance, smart cell module 104 cancomprise one or more sensors (e.g., one or more sensors 306 describedbelow with reference to FIG. 3) that can monitor and/or collectparameter data of device 100 and/or active cell material 106 including,but not limited to: temperature; pressure (e.g., swelling); chemistry(e.g., chemistry on electrolyte to monitor aging); acceleration (e.g.,to sense a crash of, for instance, an electric vehicle comprising device100); current (e.g., current flowing into and/or out of device 100and/or active cell material 106); voltage (e.g., voltage potentialacross cell material poles 106 a, 106 b of active cell material 106);and/or other parameter data of device 100 and/or active cell material106. In these examples, smart cell module 104 can further comprise oneor more switches (e.g., one or more switches 308 described below withreference to FIG. 3) that can comprise, for instance,metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) switches thatcan facilitate different operating modes of device 100 (e.g., off,positive, negative, bypass, etc.) in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the subject disclosure described herein.

To facilitate such parameter monitoring and/or different operating modesof device 100 described above, smart cell module 104 can comprise aprocessor (not illustrated in FIG. 1), a memory (not illustrated in FIG.1), one or more sensors, and/or one or more switches. For example, asdescribed below with reference to FIG. 3, smart cell module 104 cancomprise a processor 302 (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), amicroprocessor, etc.), a memory 304, one or more sensors 306 (e.g.,temperature sensor, pressure sensor, etc.), and/or one or more switches308 (e.g., MOSFET switches) that can enable the parameter monitoringand/or different operating modes of device 100 described above.

In some embodiments, device 100 and/or smart cell module 104 cancomprise a switch controller (not illustrated in the figures) that cancontrol (e.g., via processor 302) the operation of such one or moreswitches 308 (e.g., MOSFET switches) to facilitate such differentoperating modes of device 100 described above. In some embodiments, abattery pack (e.g., battery pack 908 described below with reference toFIG. 9) that can comprise multiple devices 100 and/or smart cell modules104 can comprise such a switch controller described above. In theseembodiments, such a switch controller in such a battery pack can control(e.g., via processor 302 and/or another processor) the operation of suchone or more switches 308 (e.g., MOSFET switches) in each device 100 tofacilitate such different operating modes of each device 100 describedabove.

Device 100 can comprise a modular component that can function and/or becontrolled independent of all other battery devices and/or battery celldevices (e.g., other devices 100) that can be in a battery pack (e.g.,battery pack 908 described below with reference to FIG. 9). Therefore,it should be appreciated that one or more devices 100 in such a batterypack can be removed and/or replaced without affecting the structureand/or functionality of the battery pack and/or any other devices 100 inthe battery pack.

Active cell material 106 can comprise active battery cell material suchas, for instance, a battery cell (also referred to as a “cell”). Activecell material 106 can comprise a single battery cell or, in someembodiments, multiple individual battery cells that can be positionedinside casing 108 according to a variety of patterns (e.g., vertically,horizontally, etc.). Active cell material 106 can comprise any type ofbattery cell material such as, for instance, a lithium battery cellmaterial, a lithium ion (Li-Ion) battery cell material, a lithium metalbattery cell material, a lithium sulphur (Li-S) battery cell material, amolten salt (Na-NiCl₂) battery cell material, a nickel metal hydride(Ni-MH) battery cell material, a lead acid battery cell material, and/oranother type of battery cell material.

Gas evacuation 110 can comprise a device and/or structure that canfacilitate the release of gas from casing 108 that can be generated byactive cell material 106 (e.g., during charging, discharging, etc.). Forexample, gas evacuation 110 can comprise a vent, a port, a hole, aplate, a flap, a valve (e.g., a pressure relief valve, a one-way valve,a check valve, etc.), and/or another device and/or structure that canfacilitate the release of gas from casing 108.

Smart cell module 104 can comprise any type of component, machine,device, facility, apparatus, and/or instrument that can comprise aprocessor and/or can be capable of effective and/or operativecommunication with a wired and/or wireless network. All such embodimentsare envisioned. For example, smart cell module 104 can comprise acomputing device, a general-purpose computer, a special-purposecomputer, a quantum computing device (e.g., a quantum computer), anintegrated circuit, a system on a chip (SOC), and/or another type ofdevice.

Smart cell module 104 can be coupled (e.g., communicatively,electrically, operatively, optically, etc.) to one or more externalsystems, sources, and/or devices (e.g., classical and/or quantumcomputing devices, communication devices, etc.). For example, smart cellmodule 104 can be coupled via communication port 102 c to one or moreexternal systems, sources, and/or devices using a data cable (e.g.,High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), recommended standard (RS)232, Ethernet cable, etc.) and/or one or more wired networks describedbelow.

In some embodiments, smart cell module 104 can be coupled (e.g.,communicatively, electrically, operatively, optically, etc.) to one ormore external systems, sources, and/or devices (e.g., classical and/orquantum computing devices, communication devices, etc.) via a network112. Network 112 can comprise one or more wired and/or wirelessnetworks, including, but not limited to, a cellular network, a wide areanetwork (WAN) (e.g., the Internet), and/or a local area network (LAN).For example, smart cell module 104 can communicate with one or moreexternal systems, sources, and/or devices, for instance, computingdevices using network 112, which can comprise virtually any desiredwired or wireless technology, including but not limited to: powerlineethernet, wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), BLUETOOTH®, fiber opticcommunications, global system for mobile communications (GSM), universalmobile telecommunications system (UMTS), worldwide interoperability formicrowave access (WiMAX), enhanced general packet radio service(enhanced GPRS), third generation partnership project (3GPP) long termevolution (LTE), third generation partnership project 2 (3GPP2) ultramobile broadband (UMB), high speed packet access (HSPA), Zigbee andother 802.XX wireless technologies and/or legacy telecommunicationtechnologies, Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), ZIGBEE®, RF4CEprotocol, WirelessHART protocol, 6LoWPAN (IPv6 over Low power WirelessArea Networks), Z-Wave, an ANT, an ultra-wideband (UWB) standardprotocol, and/or other proprietary and non-proprietary communicationprotocols. In such an example and as described above, smart cell module104 can thus include hardware (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), atransceiver, a decoder, an antenna, quantum hardware, a quantumprocessor, etc.), software (e.g., a set of threads, a set of processes,software in execution, quantum pulse schedule, quantum circuit, quantumgates, etc.) or a combination of hardware and software that facilitatescommunicating information between smart cell module 104 and externalsystems, sources, and/or devices (e.g., computing devices, communicationdevices, etc.).

FIG. 2 illustrates an orthogonal view of an example, non-limiting device200 that can facilitate an intelligent battery cell with integratedmonitoring and switches in accordance with one or more embodimentsdescribed herein. Repetitive description of like elements and/orprocesses employed in respective embodiments is omitted for sake ofbrevity.

Device 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 can comprise an example, non-limitingalternative embodiment of device 100 described above with reference toFIG. 1. For example, device 200 can comprise a battery pack having oneor more devices 100 (e.g., 3 as depicted in FIG. 2). In another example,device 200 can comprise a battery pack having one or more devices 100(e.g., 3), where such a battery pack can be implemented in an electronicsystem such as, for instance, an electric driveline of an electricvehicle (EV).

FIG. 3 illustrates an example, non-limiting circuit 300 that canfacilitate an intelligent battery cell with integrated monitoring andswitches in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein.Repetitive description of like elements and/or processes employed inrespective embodiments is omitted for sake of brevity.

Circuit 300 can comprise an electrical circuit representation of device100. To facilitate such parameter monitoring and/or different operatingmodes of device 100 described above with reference to FIG. 1, smart cellmodule 104 can comprise a processor 302 (denoted as “Cell CPU” in FIG.3), a memory 304, one or more sensors 306, and/or one or more switches308 as illustrated in the example embodiment depicted in FIG. 3. In someembodiments, processor 302 can comprise a central processing unit (CPU)that can comprise memory 304.

As illustrated by circuit 300 in the example embodiment depicted in FIG.3, smart cell module 104 can comprise multiple sections including, butnot limited to, a switch section 314, a monitor and/or control section316, an energy section 318, and/or another section. Switch section 314can comprise an H-bridge electronic circuit having multiple switches 308(e.g., 4 switches 308 comprising 4 MOSFET switches). Monitor and/orcontrol section 316 can comprise processor 302, memory 304, and/or oneor more sensors 306. To facilitate various monitoring and/or controlfunctions of smart cell module 104 and/or device 100, smart cell module104, processor 302, memory 304, one or more sensors 306, and/or one ormore switches 308 can use (e.g., draw) electric energy (e.g., electricpower, electric current, electric voltage) from active cell material106. For example, as illustrated in the example embodiment depicted inFIG. 3, processor 302 and/or memory 304 can be coupled to active cellmaterial 106 via wire traces 312 (e.g., integrated metal wires,striplines, microstrips, etc.), which can enable smart cell module 104,processor 302, memory 304, one or more sensors 306, and/or one or moreswitches 308 to draw electric energy (e.g., electric power, electriccurrent, electric voltage) from active cell material 106. Energy section318 can comprise active cell material 106 and cell material poles 106 a,106 b, which can enable the transfer of electric energy (e.g., electriccurrent, electric voltage, etc.) into and out of active cell material106, smart cell module 104, and/or device 100.

As smart cell module 104 and/or one or more components thereof (e.g.,processor 302, memory 304, one or more sensors 306, one or more switches308, etc.) can draw electric energy (e.g., electric power) from activecell material 106, it should be appreciated that device 100 and/or smartcell module 104 can thereby eliminate galvanic contact of one or morecomponents of device 100 with one or more devices that are external todevice 100 (e.g., another battery device and/or battery cell device in abattery pack comprising device 100). By eliminating such galvaniccontact, device 100 and/or smart cell module 104 can thereby provideenhanced safety when compared to existing battery device and/or batterycell device technologies (e.g., when compared to prior art batterydevice and/or battery cell device technologies). Additionally, oralternatively, by eliminating such galvanic contact, device 100 and/orsmart cell module 104 can thereby eliminate hardware such as, forinstance, cables, which are used in existing battery pack and/or batterymanagement system (BMS) technologies (e.g., BMS wires coupled to one ormore battery devices and/or battery cell devices in a battery pack).

Processor 302 can comprise one or more types of processors and/orelectronic circuitry (e.g., a classical processor, a quantum processor,etc.) that can implement one or more computer and/or machine readable,writable, and/or executable components and/or instructions that can bestored on memory 304. For example, processor 302 can perform variousoperations that can be specified by such computer and/or machinereadable, writable, and/or executable components and/or instructionsincluding, but not limited to, logic, control, input/output (I/O),arithmetic, and/or the like. Processor 302 can comprise one or morecentral processing unit (CPU), multi-core processor, microprocessor,dual microprocessors, microcontroller, System on a Chip (SOC), arrayprocessor, vector processor, quantum processor, and/or another type ofprocessor. Such examples of processor 302 can be employed to implementany embodiments of the subject disclosure.

In the example embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, processor 302 cancomprise a central processing unit (CPU) such as, for example, amicroprocessor. In some embodiments, processor 302 can comprise and/oremploy one or more machine learning (ML) and/or artificial intelligence(AI) models to learn, for instance, one or more operating conditionsand/or cause and effect conditions corresponding to device 100 and/or anexternal device coupled to device 100. In these embodiments, based onlearning such one or more operating conditions and/or cause and effectconditions, processor 302 can further employ the one or more ML and/orAI models to perform one or more tasks including, but not limited to,making a prediction, making an estimation (e.g., cell capacity (e.g.,electric energy) of active cell material 106), classifying data,implementing one or more monitoring and/or control operations of device100 and/or smart cell module 104, and/or another task.

Memory 304 can store one or more computer and/or machine readable,writable, and/or executable components and/or instructions that, whenexecuted by processor 302 (e.g., a classical processor, a quantumprocessor, etc.), can facilitate performance of operations defined bythe executable component(s) and/or instruction(s). For example, memory304 can store computer and/or machine readable, writable, and/orexecutable components and/or instructions that, when executed byprocessor 302, can facilitate execution of the various functionsdescribed herein relating to device 100 and/or smart cell module 104 asdescribed herein with or without reference to the various figures of thesubject disclosure. For instance, memory 304 can store computer and/ormachine readable, writable, and/or executable components and/orinstructions that, when executed by processor 302, can facilitate one ormore of such parameter monitoring tasks described above with referenceto FIG. 1 and/or to facilitate logging of monitoring data collected byone or more sensors 306. In another example, memory 304 can storecomputer and/or machine readable, writable, and/or executable componentsand/or instructions that, when executed by processor 302, can facilitateoperation of one or more switches 308 to configure device 100 to operatein one or more operation modes 400 described below with reference toFIG. 4.

In an embodiment, memory 304 can store computer and/or machine readable,writable, and/or executable components and/or instructions such as, forinstance, a monitoring component that, when executed by processor 302,can employ one or more sensors 306 of smart cell module 104 in device100 to collect parameter data corresponding to device 100 and/or one ormore components thereof. In this embodiment, such a monitoring componentcan further store and/or log (e.g., via processor 302) the parameterdata in memory 304.

In another embodiment, memory 304 can store computer and/or machinereadable, writable, and/or executable components and/or instructionssuch as, for instance, a machine learning component that, when executedby processor 302, can facilitate operation of one or more switches 308(e.g., based on parameter data collected from device 100) to configuredevice 100 to operate in one or more operation modes 400 described belowwith reference to FIG. 4. In this embodiment, such a machine learningcomponent can learn to identify certain parameter data collected fromdevice 100 that can be indicative of certain events and/or conditionsassociated with device 100, a battery pack comprising device 100, and/oran electronic system (e.g., an electric driveline of an EV) comprisingdevice 100. For example, the machine learning component can learn (e.g.,by being trained using one or more supervised leaning techniques,unsupervised learning techniques, etc.) to identify certain parameterdata that can be indicative of, for instance: a high or low state ofcharge (SoC) in device 100; a crash of a vehicle (e.g., an EV)comprising device 100; a high or low temperature of one or morecomponents of device 100; a high or low pressure in device 100, and/oranother event and/or condition. In this example, based on identifyingsuch parameter data that can be indicative of one or more such eventsand/or conditions defined above, the machine learning component can thenconfigure device 100 (e.g., via processor 302, one or more switches 308,etc.) in a certain operation mode as described above (e.g., in an offmode and/or a bypass mode based on detecting a crash of a vehiclecomprising device 100). In some embodiments, such a machine learningcomponent described above can comprise a machine learning model based onartificial intelligence (AI) including, but not limited to, a shallow ordeep neural network model, a support vector machine (SVM) model, aclassifier, a decision tree classifier, a regression model, and/or anysupervised or unsupervised machine learning model that can perform theoperations of the machine learning component described above.

Memory 304 can comprise volatile memory (e.g., random access memory(RAM), static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), etc.) and/or non-volatilememory (e.g., read only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM),electrically programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasableprogrammable ROM (EEPROM), etc.) that can employ one or more memoryarchitectures. Such examples of memory 304 can be employed to implementany embodiments of the subject disclosure.

One or more sensors 306 can comprise, for instance, a temperaturesensor, a pressure sensor, a chemical sensor, an accelerometer, and/oranother sensor that can measure one or more parameters of device 100and/or active cell material 106. As illustrated in the exampleembodiment depicted in FIG. 3, sensors 306 can provide sensing data toprocessor 302 in the form of electric current (e.g., denoted asI_(sense) in FIG. 3) and/or electric voltage (e.g., denoted as V_(sense)in FIG. 3). Processor 302 can facilitate the recording of such sensingdata in, for instance, a text file and/or a log that can be stored onmemory 304. In some embodiments, smart cell module 104 can share suchsensing data with a device that can be external to device 100 (e.g., acomputing resource in a cloud computing environment). Based on suchsensing data, processor 302 can operate (e.g., open or close) one ormore switches 308 to implement one or more operation modes of device100.

One or more switches 308 can comprise MOSFET switches. One or moreswitches 308 can be configured in smart cell module 104 such thatactuation of such one or more switches 308 (e.g., via processor 302) canimplement one or more operation modes of device 100.

Smart cell module 104, processor 302, memory 304, one or more sensors306, and/or one or more switches 308 can be coupled to one another via abus 310 to perform functions of device 100, smart cell module 104,and/or any components coupled therewith. Bus 310 can comprise one ormore memory bus, memory controller, peripheral bus, external bus, localbus, a quantum bus, and/or another type of bus that can employ variousbus architectures. Such examples of bus 310 can be employed to implementany embodiments of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates example, non-limiting operation modes 400 that canfacilitate an intelligent battery cell with integrated monitoring andswitches in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein.Repetitive description of like elements and/or processes employed inrespective embodiments is omitted for sake of brevity.

Device 100 can operate in one or more operation modes 400. Operationmodes 400 can comprise an off mode 402 (denoted as “OV (Off)” in FIG.4), a positive mode 404 (denoted as “+3.7V” in FIG. 4), a negative mode406 (denoted as “−3.7V” in FIG. 4, also referred to as a reverse mode),and/or a bypass mode 408 (denoted as “Bypass” in FIG. 4). In someembodiments, implementation of one or more operation modes 400 definedabove can enable device 100 to control (e.g., via smart cell module 104)its contribution (e.g., electric voltage contribution) to a battery packcomprising device100. To implement such one or more operation modes 400defined above, processor 302 of smart cell module 104 can operate (e.g.,open, close, turn on, turn off, engage, disengage, etc.) one or moreswitches 308 to control cell poles 102 a, 102 b (e.g., to control theelectric energy (e.g., electric current, electric voltage, etc.) presentat and/or across cell poles 102 a, 102 b).

Bypass mode 408 can comprise a default mode of device 100 and thus,device 100 and/or smart cell module 104 can be in a passive state until“armed” (e.g., until set into off mode 402, positive mode 404, ornegative mode 406). In bypass mode 408, there is no voltage on cellpoles 102 a, 102 b.

It should be appreciated that device 100 can be configured (e.g., set)to operate in bypass mode 408 to mitigate risk of injury and/or damageto a person and/or property. For example, during installation of device100 in an electronic system, device 100 can be configured (e.g., byoperating one or more switches 308 via processor 302) to operate inbypass mode 408 to mitigate risk of injury and/or damage to a person(e.g., a technician performing the installation) and/or property (e.g.,automated equipment performing the installation and/or property within acertain proximity of the electronic system). In another example, duringinstallation of a battery pack comprising one or more devices 100 in anelectronic system (e.g., an electric driveline of an EV), each device100 in the battery pack can be individually configured (e.g., byoperating one or more switches 308 via processor 302) to operate inbypass mode 408 to mitigate risk of injury and/or damage to a person(e.g., a technician performing the installation) and/or property (e.g.,automated equipment performing the installation and/or property within acertain proximity of the electronic system).

It should also be appreciated that in operation, each device 100 in abattery pack can be individually configured to operate in off mode 402,positive mode 404, negative mode 406, or bypass mode 408 to facilitate adesired yield of electric energy (e.g., electric current, electricvoltage, etc.) from each device 100 and/or from the battery pack. Forexample, one or more devices 100 in a battery pack can be individuallyconfigured (e.g., by operating one or more switches 308 via processor302) to operate in bypass mode 408 to facilitate a desired yield ofelectric energy (e.g., electric current, electric voltage, etc.) fromone or more other battery devices and/or battery cell devices in thebattery pack. In some embodiments, such one or more other batterydevices and/or battery cell devices can also comprise one or moredevices 100 that can be individually configured (e.g., by operating oneor more switches 308 via processor 302) to operate in one of theoperation modes 400 defined above (e.g., off mode 402, positive mode404, negative mode 406, and/or bypass mode 408).

FIG. 5 illustrates example, non-limiting electrical diagrams 500 thatcan facilitate an intelligent battery cell with integrated monitoringand switches in accordance with one or more embodiments describedherein. Repetitive description of like elements and/or processesemployed in respective embodiments is omitted for sake of brevity.

String 502 is an electrical diagram representing an existing batterypack string (e.g., a battery pack string currently used in prior arttechnologies) that couples multiple battery devices and/or battery celldevices 502 a, 502 b, 502 c in series to yield 11.1V of electricvoltage. Battery devices and/or battery cell devices 502 a, 502 b, 502 ccomprise battery devices and/or battery cell devices that do notcomprise device 100 and/or smart cell module 104.

String 504 is an electrical diagram representing an example,non-limiting battery pack string that can comprise multiple batterydevices and/or battery cell devices 504 a, 504 b, 504 c that can becoupled in series to yield, for example, 11.1V of electric voltage.Battery devices and/or battery cell devices 504 a, 504 b, 504 c can eachcomprise the same structure and/or functionality as that of device 100and/or smart cell module 104. As illustrated in FIG. 5, to yield 11.1Vof electric voltage, for example, battery devices and/or battery celldevices 504 a, 504 b, 504 c of string 504 can all be configured (e.g.,as described above with reference to FIG. 4) to operate in positive mode404.

String 506 is an electrical diagram representing an example,non-limiting battery pack string that can comprise multiple batterydevices and/or battery cell devices 506 a, 506 b, 506 c that can becoupled in series to yield, for example, 7.4V of electric voltage.Battery devices and/or battery cell devices 506 a, 506 b, 506 c can eachcomprise the same structure and/or functionality as that of device 100and/or smart cell module 104. As illustrated in FIG. 5, to yield 7.4V ofelectric voltage, for example, battery device and/or battery cell device506 b of string 506 can be configured (e.g., as described above withreference to FIG. 4) to operate in bypass mode 408 while battery devicesand/or battery cell devices 506 a and 506 c can be configured to operatein positive mode 404.

String 508 is an electrical diagram representing an example,non-limiting battery pack string that can comprise multiple batterydevices and/or battery cell devices 508 a, 508 b, 508 c that can becoupled in series to yield, for example, −3.7V of electric voltage.Battery devices and/or battery cell devices 508 a, 508 b, 508 c can eachcomprise the same structure and/or functionality as that of device 100and/or smart cell module 104. As illustrated in FIG. 5, to yield −3.7Vof electric voltage, for example, battery devices and/or battery celldevices 508 a and 508 b of string 508 can be configured (e.g., asdescribed above with reference to FIG. 4) to operate in bypass mode 408while battery device and/or battery cell device 508 c can be configuredto operate in negative mode 406.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example, non-limiting diagram 600 that canfacilitate an intelligent battery cell with integrated monitoring andswitches in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein.Repetitive description of like elements and/or processes employed inrespective embodiments is omitted for sake of brevity.

Diagram 600 can comprise strings 602, 604. Diagram 600 can furthercomprise a plot 606 depicting a voltage curve 608 corresponding tostrings 602, 604.

String 602 is an electrical diagram representing an example,non-limiting battery pack string that can comprise multiple batterydevices and/or battery cell devices 602 a. 602 b, 602 c that can becoupled in series to yield, for example, 7.4V of electric voltage(denoted as V1 in FIG. 6). Battery devices and/or battery cell devices602 a. 602 b, 602 c can each comprise the same structure and/orfunctionality as that of device 100 and/or smart cell module 104. Asillustrated in FIG. 6, to yield 7.4V of electric voltage (VA forexample, battery device and/or battery cell device 602 b of string 602can be configured (e.g., as described above with reference to FIG. 4) tooperate in bypass mode 408 while battery devices and/or battery celldevices 602 a and 602 c can be configured to operate in positive mode404.

String 604 is an electrical diagram representing an example,non-limiting battery pack string that can comprise multiple batterydevices and/or battery cell devices 604 a. 604 b, 604 c that can becoupled in series to yield, for example, −7.4V of electric voltage(denoted as V2 in FIG. 6). Battery devices and/or battery cell devices604 a. 604 b, 604 c can each comprise the same structure and/orfunctionality as that of device 100 and/or smart cell module 104. Asillustrated in FIG. 6, to yield −7.4V of electric voltage (V₂), forexample, battery devices and/or battery cell devices 604 a and 604 b ofstring 604 can be configured (e.g., as described above with reference toFIG. 4) to operate in negative mode 406 while battery device and/orbattery cell device 604 c can be configured to operate in bypass mode408.

Voltage curve 608 depicted in plot 606 can be generated based on V₁(7.4V) and V₂ (−7.4V), where V₁ and V₂ can be yielded by strings 602,604, respectively, as described above. The curve shape of voltage curve608 can be divided into multiple steps (e.g., steps 706 described belowwith reference to FIG. 7). For instance, the curve shape of voltagecurve 608 can be divided into 2*96 steps (192 steps), which can reducenoise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) and electromotive force (EMF). Insome embodiments, the main voltage (e.g., main voltage of a battery packcomprising one or more devices 100) can be (3)^(1/2)*370V=640V, which isapproximately the same as an 800V battery. For example, the main voltageoutput of a battery pack comprising one or more devices 100 and/orstrings 602, 604 can be 640V, which can constitute maximum alternatingcurrent (AC) root mean square (RMS) values that can be produced bystrings 602, 604 with 400V DC supplied by each string. In this example,if compared to a conventional setup with a 3-phase/6pulse (3ph/6 pulse)pulse width modulated (PWM) inverter in an 800V DC battery application,the AC RMS value will be the same, that is, for instance, it will be640V.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example, non-limiting plot 700 that can facilitatean intelligent battery cell with integrated monitoring and switches inaccordance with one or more embodiments described herein. Repetitivedescription of like elements and/or processes employed in respectiveembodiments is omitted for sake of brevity.

Plot 700 can comprise voltage curves 702, 704 that can each representelectric voltage of a battery pack string comprising one or more devices100 and/or smart cell modules 104. Voltage curves 702, 704 can each begenerated using multiple steps 706 (e.g., as depicted on voltage curve702 in FIG. 7). Each of steps 706 can represent the electric voltage(e.g., positive or negative) that can be yielded by a single device 100in a battery pack string, for example, as illustrated by the visualrepresentation of such a single device 100 in inset 708 depicted in FIG.7. Voltage curve 704 can comprise a voltage curve that can be generatedby applying pulse width modulation (PWM) to the last cell of a batterypack (e.g., to the last device 100 in a battery pack string). In someembodiments, applying PWM as described above can be useful when avoltage curve at low voltage is requested. In some embodiments, applyingPWM as described above can also be useful in embodiments where a singlesmart cell module 104 is used to control multiple cells in a batterypack (e.g., multiple active cell material 106 in a battery pack).

FIG. 8 illustrates an example, non-limiting diagram 800 that canfacilitate an intelligent battery cell with integrated monitoring andswitches in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein.Repetitive description of like elements and/or processes employed inrespective embodiments is omitted for sake of brevity.

Diagram 800 can comprise strings 802, 804, 806. Diagram 800 can furthercomprise a plot 808 depicting voltage curves 810, 812, 814 correspondingto strings 802, 804, 806, respectively.

String 802 is an electrical diagram representing an example,non-limiting battery pack string that can comprise multiple batterydevices and/or battery cell devices 802 a, 802 b, 802 c that can becoupled in series to yield, for example, 11.1V of electric voltage.Battery devices and/or battery cell devices 802 a, 802 b, 802 c can eachcomprise the same structure and/or functionality as that of device 100and/or smart cell module 104. As illustrated in FIG. 8, to yield 11.1Vof electric voltage, for example, all battery devices and/or batterycell devices 802 a, 802 b, 802 c of string 802 can be configured (e.g.,as described above with reference to FIG. 4) to operate in positive mode404.

String 804 is an electrical diagram representing an example,non-limiting battery pack string that can comprise multiple batterydevices and/or battery cell devices 804 a, 804 b, 804 c that can becoupled in series to yield, for example, 0.0V of electric voltage.Battery devices and/or battery cell devices 804 a, 804 b, 804 c can eachcomprise the same structure and/or functionality as that of device 100and/or smart cell module 104. As illustrated in FIG. 8, to yield 0.0V ofelectric voltage, for example, all battery devices and/or battery celldevices 804 a, 804 b, 804 c of string 804 can be configured (e.g., asdescribed above with reference to FIG. 4) to operate in bypass mode 408.

String 806 is an electrical diagram representing an example,non-limiting battery pack string that can comprise multiple batterydevices and/or battery cell devices 806 a, 806 b, 806 c that can becoupled in series to yield, for example, −11.1V of electric voltage.Battery devices and/or battery cell devices 806 a, 806 b, 806 c can eachcomprise the same structure and/or functionality as that of device 100and/or smart cell module 104. As illustrated in FIG. 8, to yield −11.1Vof electric voltage, for example, all battery devices and/or batterycell devices 806 a, 806 b, 806 c of string 806 can be configured (e.g.,as described above with reference to FIG. 4) to operate in negative mode406.

Voltage curves 810, 812, 814 can each comprise an example, non-limitingalternative embodiment of voltage curve 608, 702, and/or 704, wherevoltage curves 810, 812, 814 can be generated based on electric voltagesthat can be yielded by strings 802, 804, 806, respectively. For example,voltage curves 810, 812, 814 can be generated using steps 706 asdescribed above with reference to FIG. 7, where each step 706 of eachvoltage curve 810, 812, 814 can represent an electric voltage yielded bya single device 100 in each of strings 802, 804, 806.

As illustrated by voltage curves 810, 812, 814 depicted in FIG. 8,strings 802, 804, 806 can yield respective electric voltages that, whencombined as shown in plot 808, can provide a three phase (3-phase)current source (e.g., an AC source) that can be used to drive, forexample, an electrical motor, an AC-charger, and/or another electronicdevice. For instance, strings 802, 804, 806 can yield respectiveelectric voltages that, when combined as shown in plot 808, can functionas a multilevel inverter having a cascading H-bridge design (e.g., anH-bridge design as described above with reference to FIG. 3 that can beimplemented using one or more switches 308 of switch section 314). Insome embodiments, to provide such a 3-phase current source describedabove, plot 808 and/or voltage curves 810, 812, 814 can be “frozen intime” at a time 816 depicted on plot 808 in FIG. 8. In theseembodiments, at time 816, strings 802, 804, 806 can respectively yield,for example, 11.1V, 0.0V, −11.1V of electric voltage, which can producethe 3-phase current source described above. In some embodiments, switchlosses associated with each of strings 802, 804, 806 (e.g., lossesassociated with one or more switches 308 described above with referenceto FIG. 3) can be linear to the frequency of each voltage curve 810,812, 814.

It should be appreciated that the implementation of strings 802, 804,806 and/or voltage curves 810, 812, 814 in an electronic system toprovide the 3-phase current source (e.g., an AC source) described abovecan eliminate the use of an inverter in such an electronic system. Forexample, it should be appreciated that the implementation of strings802, 804, 806 in a DC battery pack of an electric driveline in an EV toprovide the 3-phase current source (e.g., an AC source) described abovecan eliminate the use of an inverter in such an EV to change the DCprovided by the battery pack to AC (e.g., to change the DC provided bystrings 802, 804, 806 to AC).

FIG. 9 illustrates example, non-limiting electronic systems 900 that canfacilitate an intelligent battery cell with integrated monitoring andswitches in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein.Repetitive description of like elements and/or processes employed inrespective embodiments is omitted for sake of brevity.

Electronic systems 900 can comprise example, non-limiting electronicsystems 902, 904, 906 illustrated in FIG. 9. Each of electronic systems902, 904, 906 can comprise an example, non-limiting embodiment of thesubject disclosure that can comprise one or more other embodiments ofthe subject disclosure described herein (e.g., device 100, device 200,etc.). In some embodiments, each of electronic systems 902, 904, 906 cancomprise an electric driveline that can be implemented in an EV to, forexample, provide electric power (e.g., AC or DC) directly (e.g., withoutthe use of, for instance, an inverter) to one or more electroniccomponents in the EV and/or to enable a battery pack of the electricdriveline to be charged using an AC or DC charger.

Electronic system 902 can comprise a battery pack 908. Battery pack 908can comprise the same structure and/or functionality as that of thebattery pack described above with reference to FIGS. 1-8 (e.g., abattery pack comprising multiple devices 100 and/or devices 200).Battery pack 908 of electronic system 902 can comprise multiple devices100 (e.g., 42 devices 100) that be coupled to one another in series toform multiple strings 910 (e.g., 3 strings 910). Strings 910 ofelectronic system 902 can be coupled to one another in parallel asillustrated in FIG. 9. For clarity, only one device 100 and only onestring 910 are identified in electronic system 902 depicted in FIG. 9.Each device 100 of each string 910 in battery pack 908 of electronicsystem 902 can be individually configured to operate in a certainoperation mode 400 (e.g., as described above with reference to FIG. 4)to yield a desired electric voltage (e.g., a certain positive ornegative electric voltage value). For example, each device 100 of eachstring 910 in battery pack 908 of electronic system 902 can beindividually configured to operate in off mode 402, positive mode 404,negative mode 406, or bypass mode 408 such that battery pack 908 canprovide AC electric power to one or more motors 912 a, 912 b(respectively denoted as “M” and “M*” in FIG. 9).

Electronic system 904 can comprise battery pack 908. Battery pack 908 ofelectronic system 904 can comprise multiple devices 100 (e.g., 42devices 100) that be coupled to one another in series to form multiplestrings 910 (e.g., 3 strings 910). Strings 910 of electronic system 904can be coupled to one another in parallel as illustrated in FIG. 9. Forclarity, only one device 100 and only one string 910 are identified inelectronic system 904 depicted in FIG. 9. Each device 100 of each string910 in battery pack 908 of electronic system 904 can be individuallyconfigured to operate in a certain operation mode 400 (e.g., asdescribed above with reference to FIG. 4) to yield a desired electricvoltage (e.g., a certain positive or negative electric voltage value).For example, each device 100 of each string 910 in battery pack 908 ofelectronic system 904 can be individually configured to operate in offmode 402, positive mode 404, negative mode 406, or bypass mode 408 suchthat battery pack 908 can be coupled to an AC charger 914 (denoted as“AC Chrg” in FIG. 9) to enable AC charging of battery pack 908 ofelectronic system 904 (e.g., AC charging to approximately 400V asillustrated in FIG. 9). In this example, AC charger 914 can comprise anAC charger including, but not limited to, a single-phase AC charger, a3-phase AC charger, and/or another type of AC charger.

Electronic system 906 can comprise battery pack 908. Battery pack 908 ofelectronic system 906 can comprise multiple devices 100 (e.g., 42devices 100) that be coupled to one another in series to form multiplestrings 910 (e.g., 3 strings 910). Strings 910 of electronic system 906can be coupled to one another in series as illustrated in FIG. 9. Forclarity, only one device 100 and only one string 910 are identified inelectronic system 906 depicted in FIG. 9. Each device 100 of each string910 in battery pack 908 of electronic system 906 can be individuallyconfigured to operate in a certain operation mode 400 (e.g., asdescribed above with reference to FIG. 4) to yield a desired electricvoltage (e.g., a certain positive or negative electric voltage value).For example, each device 100 of each string 910 in battery pack 908 ofelectronic system 906 can be individually configured to operate in offmode 402, positive mode 404, negative mode 406, or bypass mode 408 suchthat battery pack 908 can be coupled to a DC charger (not illustrated inFIG. 9) to enable DC charging of battery pack 908 of electronic system906 (e.g., DC charging to approximately 1200V as illustrated in FIG. 9).

FIG. 10A illustrates a top view of an example, non-limiting electronicsystem 1000 a that can facilitate an intelligent battery cell withintegrated monitoring and switches in accordance with one or moreembodiments described herein. FIG. 10B illustrates a cross-sectionalside view of one or more components of electronic system 1000 a asviewed along a plane defined by line 1002. FIG. 10C illustrates anexample, non-limiting plot 1000 c corresponding to electronic system1000 a. Repetitive description of like elements and/or processesemployed in respective embodiments is omitted for sake of brevity.

Electronic system 1000 a can comprise an example, non-limitingalternative embodiment of electronic system 902 described above withreference to FIG. 9. In some embodiments, electronic system 1000 a cancomprise an electric driveline that can be implemented in an EV to, forexample, provide electric power (e.g., AC or DC) directly (e.g., withoutthe use of, for instance, an inverter) to one or more electroniccomponents in the EV (e.g., motor 912 a) and/or to enable a battery packof the electric driveline to be charged using an AC or DC charger.

Electronic system 1000 a can comprise battery pack 908. Battery pack 908of electronic system 1000 a can comprise multiple devices 100 (e.g., 42devices 100) that be coupled to one another in series to form multiplestrings 910 (e.g., 3 strings 910). Strings 910 of electronic system 1000a can be coupled to one another in parallel as illustrated in FIG. 10A.For clarity, only one device 100 and only one string 910 are identifiedin electronic system 1000 a depicted in FIG. 10A. Each device 100 ofeach string 910 in battery pack 908 of electronic system 1000 a can beindividually configured to operate in a certain operation mode 400(e.g., as described above with reference to FIG. 4) to yield a desiredelectric voltage (e.g., a certain positive or negative electric voltagevalue). For example, each device 100 of each string 910 in battery pack908 of electronic system 1000 a can be individually configured tooperate in off mode 402, positive mode 404, negative mode 406, or bypassmode 408 such that battery pack 908 can provide AC electric power tomotor 912 a (denoted as “M” in FIG. 10A). In another example, eachdevice 100 of each string 910 in battery pack 908 of electronic system1000 a can be individually configured to operate in off mode 402,positive mode 404, negative mode 406, or bypass mode 408 such thatbattery pack 908 can provide (e.g., in parallel, simultaneously) ACelectric power to motor 912 a and one or more other motors (notillustrated in FIG. 10A).

Each device 100 in battery pack 908 of electronic system 1000 a can becontrolled individually (e.g., via smart cell module 104 as describedabove with reference to FIGS. 1-9). Usage of each device 100 can becontrolled (e.g., via smart cell module 104) with a corresponding dutycycle defined for each device 100. To facilitate individual control ofeach device 100 in battery pack 908, in some embodiments, battery pack908 can also be coupled to, for instance, a control unit (e.g., avehicle control unit (VCU), not illustrated in FIGS. 10A, 10B, or 10C)that can control the total electric power output (e.g., electricvoltage, electric current, etc.) of battery pack 908 by individuallycontrolling electric power output of each device 100 in battery pack908. Such a control unit (e.g., a VCU) can individually control theelectric power output of each device 100 in battery pack 908 byconfiguring each device 100 (e.g., via smart cell module 104 in eachdevice 100) to operate in off mode 402, positive mode 404, negative mode406, or bypass mode 408 for a certain duration. By configuring eachdevice 100 in battery pack 908 to operate in off mode 402, positive mode404, negative mode 406, or bypass mode 408 for a certain duration, sucha control unit (e.g., a VCU) can thereby define a certain duty cycle foreach device 100 in battery pack 908. In some embodiments, such a controlunit (e.g., a VCU) can employ a scheduler component (not illustrated inthe figures) to define the duration that each device 100 in battery pack908 will remain in off mode 402, positive mode 404, negative mode 406,or bypass mode 408. By individually implementing the duty cycle of eachdevice 100 in battery pack 908, such a control unit (e.g., a VCU) canindividually “switch on” one or more certain devices 100 in battery pack908 and individually “switch off” one or more other devices 100 inbattery pack 908 to yield a desired electrical output from battery pack908.

It should be appreciated that, in some embodiments, electronic system1000 a does not comprise the above described control unit. In theseembodiments, each device 100 in battery pack 908 can control its ownelectric power output (e.g., as described above with reference to FIGS.1-9), and therefore, all devices 100 in battery pack 908 cancollectively control the electric power output (e.g., electric voltage,electric current, etc.) of battery pack 908. In these embodiments, eachdevice 100 in battery pack 908 can also communicate periodically (e.g.,every second) with all other devices 100 in battery pack 908 tofacilitate, if needed, adjustment of the electric power output of eachdevice 100 to, for instance, maintain a certain electric power output ofbattery pack 908. For example, as described below with reference to FIG.27, each device 100 can communicate with all other devices 100 inbattery pack 908 (e.g., wirelessly via smart cell module 104, network112, etc.) to, for instance: determine each other's SoC status; exchangeeach other's assigned duty cycles; and/or exchange revised duty cyclesof one or more certain devices 100 that can be modified based on, forinstance, a change in the SoC status of one or more other devices 100 inbattery pack 908.

In some embodiments, battery pack 908 can comprise devices 100 havingdifferent chemistries and/or different sized devices 100 (denoted as“A,” “B,” and “C” in FIG. 10B), where the size of each device 100 can beindicative of its electrical capacity (e.g., electric voltage, electriccurrent, electric power, etc.). For example, a relatively large device100 such as, for instance, device 100 denoted in FIG. 10B as “A” cancomprise a relatively larger electrical capacity than that of devices100 denoted in FIG. 10B as “B” and “C.” In embodiments where batterypack 908 is also coupled to the control unit described above (e.g., aVCU), such a control unit can define (e.g., as described above) a dutycycle for each device 100 that is based on the device's electricalcapacity. For example, such a control unit can define a duty cycle for adevice 100 denoted in FIG. 10B as “A” that is longer in duration thanthat of the duty cycles for devices 100 denoted in FIG. 10B as “B” and“C,” where device 100 denoted in FIG. 10B as “A” comprises a relativelylarger electrical capacity than that of devices 100 denoted in FIG. 10Bas “B” and “C.” For instance, as illustrated by voltage curve 1004 ofplot 1000 c depicted in FIG. 10C, such a control unit can define a dutycycle for a device 100 denoted in FIG. 10C as “A” that is longer induration than that of a duty cycle for device 100 denoted in FIG. 10C as“B.”

As each device 100 in battery pack 908 can be individually controlled asdescribed above, various parameters of battery pack 908 (e.g.,dimensions, weight, etc.) can be optimized for a certain packagingspace. For example, various parameters of battery pack 908 (e.g.,dimensions, weight, etc.) can be optimized (e.g., using a bin packingalgorithm) for a certain packaging space based on one or more parameters(e.g., dimensions, weight, etc.) of each device 100 in battery pack 908.For instance, various parameters of battery pack 908 (e.g., dimensions,weight, etc.) can be optimized (e.g., using a bin packing algorithm)based on one or more parameters (e.g., dimensions, weight, etc.) of eachdevice 100 in battery pack 908 such that battery pack 908 can occupy(e.g., fully or partially) a certain packaging space in, for example,one or more components of an EV (e.g., in a frame, chassis, body, and/orseat of an EV as illustrated in FIG. 10B, where entities 1006 a 1006 brepresent occupants (e.g., humans) of such an EV).

FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate example, non-limiting existing devices 1100a, 1100 b (e.g., prior art devices). FIG. 11C illustrates an example,non-limiting device 1100 c that can facilitate an intelligent batterycell with integrated monitoring and switches in accordance with one ormore embodiments described herein. Repetitive description of likeelements and/or processes employed in respective embodiments is omittedfor sake of brevity.

Device 1100 a comprises an existing battery pack 1102 a (e.g., a batterypack currently used in prior art technologies) having battery cells 1104a, 1106 a. Device 1100 a illustrates how the electrical capacity(denoted as “pack capacity” and represented by the dark gray shading inFIG. 11A) of existing battery pack 1102 a is limited by battery cell1104 a which has the lowest electrical capacity relative to that of allother battery cells 1106 a in existing battery pack 1102 a.

Device 1100 b comprises an existing battery pack 1102 b (e.g., a batterypack currently used in prior art technologies) having battery cells 1104b, 1106 b. Device 1100 b illustrates how the electric energy (e.g.,electric voltage, electric current, etc.) of each battery cell 1104 b,1106 b in existing battery pack 1102 b is drained (e.g., discharged)according to a discharge priority schedule (denoted as “dischargepriority” in FIG. 11B) and/or a target state of charge (SoC) of, forinstance, 52 percent (%) as illustrated in FIG. 11B. In operation, eachbattery cell 1104 b, 1106 b in existing battery pack 1102 b can bedrained to the target SoC (e.g., drained to an SoC of 52% as illustratedin FIG. 11B). However, when one or more battery cells 1104 b, 1106 b(e.g., battery cell 1106 b as illustrated in FIG. 11B) are drained(e.g., discharged) to a level that is lower than the target SoC (e.g.,lower than a SoC of 52%), existing battery pack 1102 b stops functioning(e.g., stops discharging electric voltage, electric current, etc.).

Device 1100 c comprises a battery pack 1102 c having multiple devices100. Battery pack 1102 c can comprise the same structure and/orfunctionality as that of battery pack 908 described above with referenceto FIGS. 9, 10A, 10B, and 10C. As each device 100 in battery pack 1102 ccan be individually controlled (e.g., as described above with referenceto FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C), device 1100 c illustrates how the electricenergy (e.g., electric voltage, electric current, etc.) of each device100 in battery pack 1102 c can be used (e.g., discharged) to its fullextent. It should be appreciated that such use of all electric energyavailable in each device 100 in battery pack 1102 c eliminates the useof balancing techniques (e.g., load balancing techniques) employed byexisting battery packs (e.g., existing battery pack 1102a and/or 1102 bdescribed above and illustrated in FIGS. 11A and 11B, respectively).

During operation of battery pack 1102 c, the duty cycle defined for eachdevice 100 in battery pack 1102 c (e.g., as described above withreference to FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C) can dictate how much electricenergy (e.g., electric voltage, electric current, etc.) of each device100 is used (e.g., discharged). Therefore, the electric energy (e.g.,electric voltage, electric current, etc.) of each device 100 in batterypack 1102 c can be used (e.g., discharged) to its full extent (e.g., allor nearly all electric energy of each device 100 can be used).Consequently, it should be appreciated that the variation in electricalcapacity of each device 100 in battery pack 1102 c illustrated in FIG.11C will not be a limit to the electrical capacity of battery pack 1102c.

In some embodiments, a certain device 100 in battery pack 1102 c candetermine (e.g., via one or more sensors 306 of smart cell module 104)that its electric energy is at or approaching a defined low level (e.g.,a target SoC percentage) and can further communicate such information toa control unit that can be coupled to battery pack 1102 c (e.g., thecontrol unit described above with reference to FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C).In these embodiments, this certain device 100 (e.g., via smart cellmodule 104) and/or the control unit can modify the duty cyclecorresponding to such a certain device 100. For example, this certaindevice 100 (e.g., via smart cell module 104) and/or the control unit canreduce the duration of the duty cycle corresponding to this certaindevice 100 such that less electric energy is discharged from thiscertain device 100.

Battery pack 1102 c can be discharged at a discharge amount (e.g.,discharge rate, discharge voltage, discharge current, etc.) that can bedetermined based on a target SoC percentage and/or a cell priority stackcorresponding to devices 100 in battery pack 1102 c. Additionally, oralternatively, each device 100 in battery pack 1102 c can comprise amodular component that can function and/or be controlled independent ofall other devices 100 in battery pack 1102 c. Therefore, for example, inoperation, when one or more devices 100 in battery pack 1102 c areapproaching the SoC percentage or are drained below the SoC percentage,such one or more devices 100 can be reconfigured (e.g., via smart cellmodule 104 and/or the control unit described above) to operate in bypassmode 408 and/or can be reprioritized to a lower discharge prioritylevel. In this example, one or more other devices 100 in battery pack1102 c can then be configured or reconfigured to operate in a certainoperation mode 400 (e.g., off mode 402, positive mode 404, negative mode406, or bypass mode 408) that can enable battery pack 1102 c to continueoperating, unaffected, at the same discharge amount (e.g., dischargerate, discharge voltage, discharge current, etc.). Thus, it should beappreciated that devices 100 provide redundancy to battery pack 1102 c,as a reduction of electrical capacity of any device 100 in battery pack1102 c and/or a failure (e.g., malfunction, etc.) of any device 100 inbattery pack 1102 c will not affect the structure and/or functionalityof battery pack 1102 c and/or any other devices 100 in battery pack 1102c.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example, non-limiting system 1200 that canfacilitate an intelligent battery cell with integrated monitoring andswitches in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein.Repetitive description of like elements and/or processes employed inrespective embodiments is omitted for sake of brevity.

System 1200 can comprise a mesh network (e.g., a local network topologyhaving infrastructure nodes coupled directly, dynamically, and/ornon-hierarchically to multiple nodes to cooperate with one anotherand/or to communicate data). System 1200 can comprise a control unit1202 that can be coupled to one or more devices 100, where such one ormore devices 100 can be further coupled to one another as illustrated inthe example embodiment depicted in FIG. 12. Such coupling of controlunit 1202 to one or more devices 100 and each device 100 to one or moreother devices 100 can facilitate communication between all suchcomponents (e.g., via smart cell module 104 and/or network 112 asdescribed above with reference to FIG. 1). For example, control unit1202 can request, and/or each device 100 can periodically provide (e.g.,every minute), parameter data (e.g., electric voltage, frequency,temperature, chemistry, etc.) from each device 100 that can be obtainedby each such device 100 (e.g., via smart cell module 104 and/or one ormore sensors 306 as described above with reference to FIG. 1).

In some embodiments, control unit 1202 can comprise a VCU (e.g., the VCUdescribed above with reference to FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C) that can beimplemented in and/or coupled to an electric driveline of an EV. In someembodiments, control unit 1202 can comprise and/or employ a BMS that canindividually control (e.g., via smart cell module 104) functionality ofeach device 100 and/or functionality of a battery pack (e.g., batterypack 908) that can comprise one or more devices 100. For example, basedon parameter data obtained from each device 100 in system 1200 asdescribed above, control unit 1202 can perform one or more operations(e.g., operation mode reconfiguration, modify discharge priorities,etc.) to ensure a battery pack (e.g., battery pack 908) that cancomprise devices 100 can maintain its discharge amount (e.g., dischargerate, discharge voltage, discharge current, etc.).

In some embodiments, system 1200 can comprise a multicore processingsystem and/or a distributed computing network system, where one or morefunctions of one or more nodes located inside or outside of system 1200can be distributed to one or more nodes of system 1200. For example, oneor more functions of control unit 1202 and/or a device (e.g., acomputing device and/or communication device, not illustrated in FIG.12) that is external to system 1200 can be transferred to one or moredevices 100 of system 1200. In this example, such one or more devices100 can then perform such one or more functions. Examples of such one ormore functions include, but are not limited to: processing functions ofcontrol unit 1202, the external device, and/or one or more devices 100,thereby enabling parallel processing of such processing functions bysuch components; intelligent self-driving functions associated with avehicle (e.g., an EV) comprising system 1200; detection and/ormonitoring functions associated with such a vehicle comprising system1200; and/or another function. To transfer such one or more functions toone or more devices 100 of system 1200, the external device describedabove can be coupled to control unit 1202 (e.g., via a wired connection,wireless connection, etc.) such that control unit 1202 can transfer suchone or more functions received from the external device to one or moredevices 100 of system 1200.

It should be appreciated that, based on such functionality transferdescribed above, system 1200 can enable cross connection between and/orredundancy associated with devices 100, control unit 1202, and/or one ormore devices external to system 1200 (e.g., computing devices,communication devices, etc.). It should also be appreciated that, basedon such cross connection and/or redundancy described above, system 1200can facilitate elimination of one or more devices external to system1200 that can transfer their functionality (e.g., processing functions,etc.) to control unit 1202 and/or one or more devices 100 of system1200. For example, in embodiments where system 1200 is implemented in anEV and control unit 1202 comprises a VCU, system 1200 can facilitateelimination of one or more computing devices and/or communicationdevices associated with and/or located in the EV, as the functionalityof such devices can be transferred to control unit 1202 and/or one ormore devices 100 of system 1200.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example, non-limiting circuit 1300 that canfacilitate an intelligent battery cell with integrated monitoring andswitches in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein.Repetitive description of like elements and/or processes employed inrespective embodiments is omitted for sake of brevity.

In some embodiments, device 100 can comprise a DC supply section (notillustrated in FIG. 1). In these embodiments, circuit 1300 can comprisean electrical circuit representation of such a device 100 that cancomprise a DC supply section. For example, circuit 1300 can comprise anexample, non-limiting alternative embodiment of circuit 300 describedabove with reference to FIG. 3, where circuit 1300 can comprise a DCsupply section 1302 as illustrated in the example embodiment depicted inFIG. 13.

DC supply section 1302 can comprise a transformer 1304 that can becoupled to circuit 300 and/or cell poles 1306 a. 1306 b via one or moreswitches 308 and/or wire traces 312 of DC supply section 1302 asillustrated in the example embodiment depicted in FIG. 13. Cell poles1306 a. 1306 b can comprise the same structure and/or functionality asthat of cell poles 102 a, 102 b described above with reference to FIG.1.

Transformer 1304 can comprise a push-pull transformer or anothertransformer. Transformer 1304 can enable coupling (e.g., via cell poles1306 a. 1306 b) of a DC electronic device to a device 100 that comprisesDC supply section 1302, where such DC coupling of the DC electronicdevice can be independent from and/or insulated from (e.g., electricallyindependent from and/or electrically insulated from) the AC supply thatcan be provided using device 100 (e.g., as described above withreference to FIGS. 3-9). Transformer 1304 can be controlled (e.g.,operated) by processor 302 using one or more switches 308 of DC supplysection 1302.

A single device 100 comprising DC supply section 1302 can provide DCelectric voltage that can range from, for example, approximately 4V toapproximately 48V. To provide DC electric voltage of 12V, 48V, and/or400V, multiple devices 100 that respectively comprise DC supply section1302 can be coupled to one another in series and parallel in a batterystring (e.g., string 910) of a battery pack (e.g., battery pack 908). Toprovide redundancy, such a battery pack can comprise several (e.g., 3)of the battery strings described above.

It should be appreciated that each device 100 in a battery pack (e.g.,battery pack 908) can comprise DC supply section 1302 and the AC supplysection described above with reference to FIGS. 3-9 (e.g., the AC supplysection represented by circuit 300 of circuit 1300 depicted in FIG. 13).It should also be appreciated that DC supply section 1302 and the ACsupply section of each device 100 in such a battery pack can operate inparallel (e.g., simultaneously) to provide a DC electric energy supplyand an AC electric energy supply from the battery pack (e.g., at a DCterminal and an AC terminal, respectively, of such a battery pack),which can thereby enable elimination of one or more electroniccomponents associated with an electronic system comprising such a device100 and/or such a battery pack. For example, in embodiments where adevice 100 comprising DC supply section 1302 is implemented in anelectric driveline of an EV, such a device 100 comprising DC supplysection 1302 can provide AC electric power (e.g., as described abovewith reference to FIGS. 3-9) to operate one or more motors of the EV(e.g., AC electric power to drive the EV) and DC electric power tooperate one or more auxiliary electronic systems of the electricdriveline and/or the EV, thereby enabling elimination of one or moreelectronic components associated with such one or more auxiliaryelectronic systems, the electric driveline, and/or the EV. For instance,in these embodiments, such a device 100 comprising DC supply section1302 can provide DC electric power to operate one or more auxiliaryelectronic systems in the EV such as, for example, a heating,ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, interior and/orexterior lighting systems, electrically powered windows and/or locks,audio systems, DC electric power supply ports, windshield wipers, and/oranother auxiliary electronic system in the EV. In these embodiments,such a device 100 comprising DC supply section 1302 can thereby enableelimination of one or more electronic components including, but notlimited to, a converter, an inverter, one or more DC batteries, and/oranother component associated with such one or more auxiliary electronicsystems, the electric driveline, and/or the EV.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example, non-limiting circuit 1400 that canfacilitate an intelligent battery cell with integrated monitoring andswitches in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein.Repetitive description of like elements and/or processes employed inrespective embodiments is omitted for sake of brevity.

In some embodiments, device 100 can comprise a DC supply section (notillustrated in FIG. 1). In these embodiments, circuit 1400 can comprisean electrical circuit representation of such a device 100 that cancomprise a DC supply section. For example, circuit 1400 can comprise anexample, non-limiting alternative embodiment of circuit 300 and/orcircuit 1300 described above with reference to FIGS. 3 and 13,respectively, where circuit 1400 can comprise a DC supply section 1402as illustrated in the example embodiment depicted in FIG. 14.

DC supply section 1402 can comprise an example, non-limiting alternativeembodiment of DC supply section 1302. DC supply section 1402 cancomprise a transformer 1404 that can be coupled to circuit 300, acapacitor 1406, and/or cell poles 1306 a. 1306 b via one or moreswitches 308 and/or wire traces 312 of DC supply section 1402 asillustrated in the example embodiment depicted in FIG. 14.

DC supply section 1402 can enable coupling (e.g., via cell poles 1306 a,1306 b) of a DC electronic device to a device 100 that comprises DCsupply section 1402, where such DC coupling of the DC electronic devicecan be independent from and/or insulated from (e.g., electricallyindependent from and/or electrically insulated from) the AC supply thatcan be provided using device 100 (e.g., as described above withreference to FIGS. 3-9). It should be appreciated that such DC couplingof the DC electronic device can be independent from and/or insulatedfrom the AC supply due to a magnetic field (not illustrated in FIG. 14)that can be generated in transformer 1404 (e.g., in the coil oftransformer 1404) during operation of such a device 100 comprising DCsupply section 1402.

Transformer 1404 can comprise a flyback transformer or anothertransformer. DC supply section 1402 and/or transformer 1404 can becontrolled (e.g., operated) by processor 302 using one or more switches308 of DC supply section 1402. Capacitor 1406 can store electric energyyielded by transformer 1404 via operation of one or more switches 308 ofDC supply section 1402 (e.g., capacitor 1406 can store electric energyyielded by repeatedly actuating (e.g., turning on and off) one or moreswitches 308 of DC supply section 1402 at, for instance, 300 kilohertz(kHz)). DC supply section 1402 can provide such electric energy storedin capacitor 1406 to a DC electronic device that can be coupled to cellpoles 1306 a. 1306 b.

The transformer ratio of transformer 1404 can comprise any ratio valuethat can enable a device 100 comprising DC supply section 1404 to yielda constant DC electric voltage ranging from, for example, approximately4V to approximately 6V. For example, in an embodiment, the transformerratio of transformer 1404 can comprise a 1:2 ratio. The transformerratio of transformer 1404 can be adjusted to yield a desired constant DCelectric voltage value. The DC electric voltage that can be yielded atcell poles 1306 a. 1306 b can be controlled by the duty cycle(s)corresponding to one or more switches 308 of DC supply section 1402 asdescribed above, where such one or more switches 308 of DC supplysection 1402 can be operated (e.g., opened, closed, turned on, turnedoff, engaged, disengaged, etc.) by processor 302.

It should be appreciated that each device 100 in a battery pack (e.g.,battery pack 908) can comprise DC supply section 1402 and the AC supplysection described above with reference to FIGS. 3-9 (e.g., the AC supplysection represented by circuit 300 of circuit 1400 depicted in FIG. 14).It should also be appreciated that DC supply section 1402 and the ACsupply section of each device 100 in such a battery pack can operate inparallel (e.g., simultaneously) to provide a DC electric energy supplyand an AC electric energy supply from the battery pack (e.g., at a DCterminal and an AC terminal, respectively, of such a battery pack),which can thereby enable elimination of one or more electroniccomponents associated with an electronic system comprising such a device100 and/or such a battery pack. For example, in embodiments where adevice 100 comprising DC supply section 1402 is implemented in anelectric driveline of an EV, such a device 100 comprising DC supplysection 1402 can provide AC electric power (e.g., as described abovewith reference to FIGS. 3-9) to operate one or more motors of the EV(e.g., AC electric power to drive the EV) and DC electric power tooperate one or more auxiliary electronic systems of the electricdriveline and/or the EV, thereby enabling elimination of one or moreelectronic components associated with such one or more auxiliaryelectronic systems, the electric driveline, and/or the EV. For instance,in these embodiments, such a device 100 comprising DC supply section1402 can provide DC electric power to operate one or more auxiliaryelectronic systems in the EV such as, for example, a heating,ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, interior and/orexterior lighting systems, electrically powered windows and/or locks,audio systems, DC electric power supply ports, windshield wipers, and/oranother auxiliary electronic system in the EV. In these embodiments,such a device 100 comprising DC supply section 1402 can thereby enableelimination of one or more electronic components including, but notlimited to, a converter, an inverter, one or more DC batteries, and/oranother component associated with such one or more auxiliary electronicsystems, the electric driveline, and/or the EV.

FIG. 15 illustrates an example, non-limiting diagram 1500 that canfacilitate an intelligent battery cell with integrated monitoring andswitches in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein.Repetitive description of like elements and/or processes employed inrespective embodiments is omitted for sake of brevity.

Diagram 1500 can comprise strings 1502, 1504. Diagram 1500 can furthercomprise energy flow diagrams 1506 a, 1506 b, 1506 c. Each of energyflow diagrams 1506 a, 1506 b, 1506 c can comprise an energy flow diagramof circuit 1400 described above with reference to and illustrated inFIG. 14, where circuit 1400 can comprise an electrical circuitrepresentation of a device 100 having DC supply section 1402.

Energy flow diagram 1506 a can correspond to battery devices and/orbattery cell devices 1502 a, 1504 a of strings 1502, 1504, respectively,where the energy flow direction in each of strings 1502, 1504 and energyflow diagram 1506 a is represented by arrows 1508 as depicted in theexample embodiment shown in FIG. 15. Energy flow diagram 1506b cancorrespond to battery devices and/or battery cell devices 1502 b, 1504 bof strings 1502, 1504, respectively, where the energy flow direction ineach of strings 1502, 1504 and energy flow diagram 1506 b is representedby arrows 1508 as depicted in the example embodiment shown in FIG. 15.Energy flow diagram 1506 c can correspond to battery devices and/orbattery cell devices 1502 c, 1504 c of strings 1502, 1504, respectively,where the energy flow direction in each of strings 1502, 1504 and energyflow diagram 1506 c is represented by arrows 1508 as depicted in theexample embodiment shown in FIG. 15.

String 1502 is an electrical diagram representing an example,non-limiting battery pack string that can comprise multiple batterydevices and/or battery cell devices 1502 a, 1502 b, 1502 c that can becoupled in series to yield a certain electric voltage. Battery devicesand/or battery cell devices 1502 a, 1502 b, 1502 c can each comprise thesame structure and/or functionality as that of device 100 and/or smartcell module 104. String 1502 can illustrate the direction of energy flowin a normal mode (e.g., a discharge mode), where the energy flowdirection is represented by arrow 1508 as depicted in the exampleembodiment shown in FIG. 15. In such a normal mode, battery deviceand/or battery cell device 1502 a of string 1502 can be configured(e.g., as described above with reference to FIG. 4) to operate inpositive mode 404 while battery devices and/or battery cell devices 1502b, 1502 c of string 1502 can be configured (e.g., as described abovewith reference to FIG. 4) to operate in bypass mode 408.

String 1504 is an electrical diagram representing an example,non-limiting battery pack string that can comprise multiple batterydevices and/or battery cell devices 1504 a, 1504 b, 1504 c that can becoupled in series to yield a certain electric voltage. Battery devicesand/or battery cell devices 1504 a, 1504 b, 1504 c can each comprise thesame structure and/or functionality as that of device 100 and/or smartcell module 104. String 1504 can illustrate the direction of energy flowin a charging mode (e.g., a reverse mode), where the energy flowdirection is represented by arrow 1508 as depicted in the exampleembodiment shown in FIG. 15. In such a charging mode, battery devicesand/or battery cell devices 1504 a, 1504 b of string 1504 can beconfigured (e.g., as described above with reference to FIG. 4) tooperate in positive mode 404 while battery device and/or battery celldevice 1504 c of string 1504 can be configured (e.g., as described abovewith reference to FIG. 4) to operate in negative mode 406.

As described above, each battery device and/or battery cell device 1504a, 1504 b, 1504 c of string 1504 can comprise the same structure and/orfunctionality as that of a device 100 comprising DC supply section 1402,and string 1504 comprising such devices can be implemented in a batterypack (e.g., battery pack 908). In some embodiments, if a DC electricload (e.g., 12V load, 48V load, etc.) that can be coupled to DC supplysection 1402 is relatively high and/or unbalance occurs in the batterypack, electric energy can be transferred between battery devices and/orbattery cell devices 1504 a, 1504 b, 1504 c in the charging mode (e.g.,transferred on the AC supply side of such devices) as illustrated bystring 1504 and energy flow diagrams 1506 a, 1506 b, 1506 c illustratedin FIG. 15. In some embodiments, the above described battery pack (e.g.,battery pack 908) that can comprise string 1504 can be implemented in anelectric driveline of an EV. In these embodiments, such electric energytransfer described above can also be implemented, for instance, when theEV is static (e.g., in standstill, in parked position, motionless, etc.)and/or when the AC supply side of the above described battery packand/or battery devices and/or battery cell devices 1504 a, 1504 b, 1504c is not operating (e.g., not propelling the EV or charging). In theseembodiments, the 3-phases of the 3-phase AC supply described above withreference to FIGS. 3-9 must not create a rotating magnetic field. Itshould be appreciated that such electric energy transfer described abovecan be implemented to ensure no devices 100 described herein inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the subject disclosure willbe drained below a defined low level when providing a DC electric supplywhile the AC supply is not operating (e.g., not propelling an EV orcharging).

FIG. 16 illustrates an example, non-limiting circuit 1600 that canfacilitate an intelligent battery cell with integrated monitoring andswitches in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein.Repetitive description of like elements and/or processes employed inrespective embodiments is omitted for sake of brevity.

In some embodiments, device 100 can comprise multiple active cellmaterial 106 (e.g., multiple battery cells) that can be coupled to thesame smart cell module 104 in device 100. In these embodiments, circuit1600 can comprise an electrical circuit representation of such a device100 that can comprise multiple active cell material 106 (e.g., multiplebattery cells) that can be coupled to the same smart cell module 104.For example, circuit 1600 can comprise an example, non-limitingalternative embodiment of circuit 300, circuit 1300, and/or circuit 1400described above with reference to FIGS. 3, 13, and 14, respectively,where circuit 1600 can comprise multiple active cell material 106 (e.g.,3 battery cells) that can be coupled to the same smart cell module 104in a device 100 as illustrated in the example embodiment depicted inFIG. 16.

As illustrated in the example embodiment depicted in FIG. 16, device 100can comprise, for instance, three active cell material 106 that can becoupled to the same smart cell module 104. In this example embodiment,such active cell material 106 can be coupled to one another in seriesand coupled to the same smart cell module 104 in parallel (e.g., via oneor more components that can facilitate internal balancing (e.g.,internal load balancing) as illustrated in FIG. 16). It should beappreciated that, in some embodiments, such a device 100 that cancomprise multiple active cell material 106 that can be coupled to thesame smart cell module 104 in device 100 can enable elimination of oneor more components associated with an electronic system comprising sucha device 100 (e.g., by simultaneously providing DC power supply and ACpower supply as described above with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14).

FIG. 17 illustrates an example, non-limiting wire diagram 1700 that canfacilitate an intelligent battery cell with integrated monitoring andswitches in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein.Repetitive description of like elements and/or processes employed inrespective embodiments is omitted for sake of brevity.

Wire diagram 1700 illustrates how one or more embodiments of the subjectdisclosure can be implemented in an electrical system to facilitate oneor more functions of such one or more embodiments described above withreference to FIGS. 1-16. In the example embodiment depicted in FIG. 17,wire diagram 1700 illustrates how one or more embodiments of the subjectdisclosure can be implemented in, for example, an electric driveline ofan EV to facilitate one or more functions of such one or moreembodiments described above with reference to FIGS. 1-16.

With reference to the example embodiments described above andillustrated in FIGS. 3-9 and 13-15, an isolated DC power supply (e.g.,12V, 48V, 360V, etc.) can be extracted (e.g., via cell poles 1306 a.1306 b) from a battery pack 1702 of wire diagram 1700. Battery pack 1702can comprise multiple devices 100 comprising DC supply section 1302and/or DC supply section 1402. For clarity, only one of such devices 100is identified in wire diagram 1700 depicted in FIG. 17. Battery pack1702 can comprise the same structure and/or functionality as that ofbattery pack 908 described above with reference to FIG. 9. Such anisolated DC power supply can be extracted from battery pack 1702 by, forinstance: respectively configuring (e.g., via processor 302) one or moredevices 100 of battery pack 1702 in a certain operation mode 400 (e.g.,off mode 402, positive mode 404, negative mode 406, or bypass mode 408)as described above with reference to FIGS. 3-9; and/or operating (e.g.,via control unit 1202, a BMS, etc.) one or more switches 1704 of wirediagram 1700 to couple (e.g., in series) at least two of such devices100 described above and/or to discharge DC electric energy (e.g.,electric power, electric voltage, electric current, etc.) from one ormore of such devices 100 described above.

With reference to the example embodiments described above andillustrated in FIGS. 3-9 and 13-15, an isolated AC power supply can beextracted from battery pack 1702 of wire diagram 1700. Such an isolatedAC power supply can be extracted from battery pack 1702 by, forinstance: respectively configuring (e.g., via processor 302) one or moredevices 100 of battery pack 1702 in a certain operation mode 400 (e.g.,off mode 402, positive mode 404, negative mode 406, or bypass mode 408)as described above with reference to FIGS. 3-9; and/or operating (e.g.,via control unit 1202, a BMS, etc.) one or more switches 1704 of wirediagram 1700 to couple (e.g., in parallel) at least two of such devices100 described above and/or to discharge AC electric energy (e.g.,electric power, electric voltage, electric current, etc.) from one ormore of such devices 100 described above. As illustrated in the exampleembodiment depicted in FIG. 17, such AC electric energy can be used asAC propulsion energy to power one or more motors M1, M2, M3 shown inwire diagram 1700, where such one or more motors M1, M2, M3 can be usedto propel (e.g., drive) the EV. In some embodiments, one or more of suchdevices 100 described above and/or one or more switches 1704 can beconfigured and/or operated such that this AC power supply can beprovided to one or more motors M1, M2, M3 at the same time (e.g.,simultaneously, in parallel, etc.) as the above described isolated DCpower supply is provided (e.g., at the same time the isolated DC powersupply is provided to cell poles 1306 a, 1306 b).

With reference to the example embodiments described above andillustrated in FIGS. 3-9 and 13-15, AC charger 914 can be coupled tobattery pack 1702 of wire diagram 1700 to charge battery pack 1702and/or one or more of such devices 100 described above using an AC powersupply from AC charger 914. AC charger 914 can charge battery pack 1702and/or one or more of such devices 100 described above by, for instance:respectively configuring (e.g., via processor 302) one or more devices100 of battery pack 1702 in a certain operation mode 400 (e.g., off mode402, positive mode 404, negative mode 406, or bypass mode 408) asdescribed above with reference to FIGS. 3-9; and/or operating (e.g., viacontrol unit 1202, a BMS, etc.) one or more switches 1704 of wirediagram 1700 such that at least two of the above described devices 100in battery pack 1702 can be coupled (e.g., in parallel) in a manner thatfacilitates charging of battery pack 1702 and/or one or more of suchdevices 100 using the AC power supply from AC charger 914. In someembodiments, one or more of such devices 100 described above and/or oneor more switches 1704 can be configured and/or operated such that the ACpower supply from AC charger 914 can be provided to battery pack 1702and/or such one or more devices 100 at the same time (e.g.,simultaneously, in parallel, etc.) as the above described isolated DCpower supply is provided (e.g., at the same time the isolated DC powersupply is provided to cell poles 1306 a. 1306 b).

With reference to the example embodiments described above andillustrated in FIGS. 3-9 and 13-15, DC charger 1706 can be coupled tobattery pack 1702 of wire diagram 1700 to charge battery pack 1702and/or one or more of such devices 100 described above using a DC powersupply from DC charger 1706. DC charger 1706 can charge battery pack1702 and/or one or more of such devices 100 described above by, forinstance: respectively configuring (e.g., via processor 302) one or moredevices 100 of battery pack 1702 in a certain operation mode 400 (e.g.,off mode 402, positive mode 404, negative mode 406, or bypass mode 408)as described above with reference to FIGS. 3-9; and/or operating (e.g.,via control unit 1202, a BMS, etc.) one or more switches 1704 of wirediagram 1700 such that at least two of the above described devices 100in battery pack 1702 can be coupled (e.g., in series) in a manner thatfacilitates charging of battery pack 1702 and/or one or more of suchdevices 100 using the DC power supply from DC charger 1706.

FIG. 18 illustrates an example, non-limiting diagram 1800 that canfacilitate an intelligent battery cell with integrated monitoring andswitches in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein.Repetitive description of like elements and/or processes employed inrespective embodiments is omitted for sake of brevity.

Diagram 1800 can comprise a hierarchy of functions that can be performedin accordance with one or more embodiments of the subject disclosuredescribed herein. In some embodiments, diagram 1800 can comprise a lowlevel 1802 of functions, a medium level 1804 of functions, and/or a highlevel 1806 of functions, where the complexity of such functions canincrease from low level 1802 to high level 1806. For example, functionsof low level 1802 can be less complex than those of medium level 1804and functions of medium level 1804 can be less complex than those ofhigh level 1806.

Low level 1802 can comprise low complexity functions that can beperformed by, for instance, implementing one or more softwareapplications that can facilitate such low complexity functions in lowlevel 1802. For example, one or more software applications that cancomprise a low level of complexity can be implemented to facilitate oneor more functions of low level 1802 including, but not limited to:generating 3-phase (denoted as “Generate 3-phase” in FIG. 18); H-bridgecontrol (denoted as “H-bridge ctrl” in FIG. 18); cell communication(denoted as “Cell Comm” in FIG. 18); flyback control (denoted as“Flyback ctrl” in FIG. 18); diagnostics (denoted as “Diagnostic” in FIG.18); sensor reading; over-the-air updates (denoted as “OtA update” inFIG. 18); and/or another function.

Medium level 1804 can comprise medium complexity functions that can beperformed by, for instance, implementing one or more softwareapplications that can facilitate such medium complexity functions inmedium level 1804. For example, one or more software applications thatcan comprise a medium level of complexity can be implemented tofacilitate one or more functions of medium level 1804 including, but notlimited to: processing torque (denoted as “Process Torque” in FIG. 18);charge control (denoted as “Charge ctrl” in FIG. 18); cross-cellcommunication (denoted as “X-Cell Comm” in FIG. 18); low voltageprocessing (denoted as “LV processing” in FIG. 18); diagnostics (denotedas “Diagnostic” in FIG. 18); energy control (denoted as “Energy ctrl” inFIG. 18); state of charge and/or state of health (denoted as “SoC, SoH”in FIG. 18); over-the-air updates (denoted as “OtA update” in FIG. 18);and/or another function.

High level 1806 can comprise high complexity functions that can beperformed by, for instance, implementing one or more softwareapplications that can facilitate such high complexity functions in highlevel 1806. For example, one or more software applications that cancomprise a high level of complexity can be implemented to facilitate oneor more functions of high level 1806 including, but not limited to:vehicle interface (denoted as “Veh. Interface” in FIG. 18); chargeinterface (denoted as “Charge Interface” in FIG. 18); vehiclecommunication (denoted as “Veh Comm” in FIG. 18); low voltage interface(denoted as “LV Interface” in FIG. 18); diagnostics (denoted as“Diagnostic” in FIG. 18); energy optimization (denoted as “Energy optim”in FIG. 18); root mean square (RMS) limit (denoted as “RMS limit etc” inFIG. 18); over-the-air updates (denoted as “OtA update” in FIG. 18);and/or another function.

FIG. 19 illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limitingcomputer-implemented method 1900 that can facilitate an intelligentbattery cell with integrated monitoring and switches in accordance withone or more embodiments described herein. Repetitive description of likeelements and/or processes employed in respective embodiments is omittedfor sake of brevity.

At 1902, computer-implemented method 1900 can comprise coupling, by asystem (e.g., via device 100, smart cell module 104, etc.) operativelycoupled to a processor (e.g., processor 302), one or more switches(e.g., one or more switches 308) of an internal circuit (e.g., smartcell module 104) integrated in a battery cell device (e.g., device 100)to battery cell poles (e.g., cell poles 102 a, 102 b) of the batterycell device.

At 1904, computer-implemented method 1900 can comprise providing, by thesystem (e.g., via device 100, smart cell module 104, etc.), a definedvalue (e.g., a value of zero (0), a positive value, a negative value,etc.) of electric potential at the battery cell poles based on thecoupling.

FIG. 20 illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limitingcomputer-implemented method 2000 that can facilitate an intelligentbattery cell with integrated monitoring and switches in accordance withone or more embodiments described herein. Repetitive description of likeelements and/or processes employed in respective embodiments is omittedfor sake of brevity.

At 2002, computer-implemented method 2000 can comprise coupling, by asystem (e.g., via device 100, smart cell module 104, etc.) operativelycoupled to a processor (e.g., processor 302), one or more switches(e.g., one or more switches 308) of an internal circuit (e.g., smartcell module 104) integrated in a battery cell device (e.g., device 100)to battery cell poles (e.g., cell poles 102 a, 102 b) of the batterycell device.

At 2004, computer-implemented method 2000 can comprise providing, by thesystem (e.g., via device 100, smart cell module 104, etc.) an electricpotential of zero volts at the battery cell poles based on the coupling.

FIG. 21 illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limitingcomputer-implemented method 2100 that can facilitate an intelligentbattery cell with integrated monitoring and switches in accordance withone or more embodiments described herein. Repetitive description of likeelements and/or processes employed in respective embodiments is omittedfor sake of brevity.

At 2102, computer-implemented method 2100 can comprise providing, by asystem (e.g., via a system comprising a computer coupled to device 100,smart cell module 104, and/or machinery (e g , manufacturing equipment)operated by the computer to fabricate and/or maintain a battery packcomprising device 100) operatively coupled to a processor (e.g.,processor 302), an electric potential of zero volts at battery cellpoles (e.g., cell poles 102 a, 102 b) of one or more battery celldevices (e.g., one or more devices 100) in a battery pack (e.g., batterypack 908).

At 2104, computer-implemented method 2100 can comprise removing, by thesystem (e.g., via a system comprising a computer coupled to device 100,smart cell module 104, and/or machinery (e g , manufacturing equipment)operated by the computer to fabricate and/or maintain a battery packcomprising device 100), the one or more battery cell devices from thebattery pack based on the providing.

FIG. 22 illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limitingcomputer-implemented method 2200 that can facilitate an intelligentbattery cell with integrated monitoring and switches in accordance withone or more embodiments described herein. Repetitive description of likeelements and/or processes employed in respective embodiments is omittedfor sake of brevity.

At 2202, computer-implemented method 2200 can comprise collecting, by asystem (e.g., via device 100, smart cell module 104, one or more sensors306, etc.) operatively coupled to a processor (e.g., processor 302),parameter data (e.g., parameter data defined above with reference toFIG. 1 such as, for instance, temperature, pressure, chemistry,acceleration, current, voltage, etc.) of a battery cell device (e.g.,device 100) using one or more sensors (e.g., one or more sensors 306) ofan internal circuit (e.g., smart cell module 104) that is integrated inthe battery cell device and coupled to active battery cell material(e.g., active cell material 106) of the battery cell device.

At 2204, computer-implemented method 2200 can comprise storing, by thesystem (e.g., via device 100, smart cell module 104, etc.), theparameter data on a memory (e.g., memory 304) of the internal circuit.

FIG. 23 illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limitingcomputer-implemented method 2300 that can facilitate an intelligentbattery cell with integrated monitoring and switches in accordance withone or more embodiments described herein. Repetitive description of likeelements and/or processes employed in respective embodiments is omittedfor sake of brevity.

At 2302, computer-implemented method 2300 can comprise coupling, by asystem (e.g., via a system such as, for instance, an electric drivelinein an EV that comprises control unit 1202 coupled to battery pack 908,device 100, and/or smart cell module 104) operatively coupled to aprocessor (e.g., control unit 1202, processor 302, etc.), one or moreswitches (e.g., one or more switches 1704) of an electronic system(e.g., an electric driveline in an EV) to a battery pack (e.g., batterypack 908) comprising multiple battery cell devices (e.g., multipledevices 100) coupled to one another in parallel and in series (e.g., asdescribed above with reference to FIGS. 3-9 and 13-17 and as illustratedby wire diagram 1700 depicted in FIG. 17).

At 2304, computer-implemented method 2300 can comprise providing, by thesystem (e.g., via a system such as, for instance, an electric drivelinein an EV that comprises control unit 1202 coupled to battery pack 908,device 100, and/or smart cell module 104), simultaneously, analternating current (AC) energy supply and a direct current (DC) energysupply from the battery pack based on the coupling (e.g., as describedabove with reference to FIG. 17).

FIG. 24 illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limitingcomputer-implemented method 2400 that can facilitate an intelligentbattery cell with integrated monitoring and switches in accordance withone or more embodiments described herein. Repetitive description of likeelements and/or processes employed in respective embodiments is omittedfor sake of brevity.

At 2402, computer-implemented method 2400 can comprise coupling, by asystem (e.g., via a system such as, for instance, an electric drivelinein an EV that comprises control unit 1202 coupled to battery pack 908,device 100, and/or smart cell module 104) operatively coupled to aprocessor (e.g., control unit 1202, processor 302, etc.), one or moreswitches (e.g., one or more switches 1704) of an electric driveline inan electric vehicle (EV) to a battery pack (e.g., battery pack 908) thatis positioned in the EV and that comprises multiple battery cell devices(e.g., multiple devices 100) coupled to one another in parallel and inseries (e.g., as described above with reference to FIGS. 3-9 and 13-17and as illustrated by wire diagram 1700 depicted in FIG. 17).

At 2404, computer-implemented method 2400 can comprise providing, by thesystem (e.g., via a system such as, for instance, an electric drivelinein an EV that comprises control unit 1202 coupled to battery pack 908,device 100, and/or smart cell module 104), providing, by the system,based on the coupling, a direct current (DC) energy supply from thebattery pack when the electric vehicle is at a standstill (e.g., whenthe EV is static, motionless, parked, etc.) by using an alternatingcurrent (AC) energy supply of the battery pack (e.g., as described abovewith reference to FIG. 17).

FIG. 25 illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limitingcomputer-implemented method 2500 that can facilitate an intelligentbattery cell with integrated monitoring and switches in accordance withone or more embodiments described herein. Repetitive description of likeelements and/or processes employed in respective embodiments is omittedfor sake of brevity.

At 2502, computer-implemented method 2500 can comprise coupling, by asystem (e.g., via a system such as, for instance, an electric drivelinein an EV that comprises control unit 1202 coupled to battery pack 908,device 100, and/or smart cell module 104) operatively coupled to aprocessor (e.g., control unit 1202, processor 302, etc.), one or moreswitches (e.g., one or more switches 1704) of an electric driveline inan electric vehicle (EV) to a battery pack (e.g., battery pack 1102 c)that is positioned in the electric vehicle and that comprises differentsized battery cell devices (e.g., different sized devices 100 in batterypack 1102 c) coupled to one another in parallel and in series (e.g., asdescribed above with reference to FIGS. 3-11C and 13-17 and asillustrated by wire diagram 1700 depicted in FIG. 17).

At 2504, computer-implemented method 2500 can comprise providing, by thesystem (e.g., via a system such as, for instance, an electric drivelinein an EV that comprises control unit 1202 coupled to battery pack 908,device 100, and/or smart cell module 104), simultaneously, analternating current (AC) energy supply and a direct current (DC) energysupply from the battery pack based on the coupling (e.g., as describedabove with reference to FIGS. 3-11C and 13-17 and as illustrated by wirediagram 1700 depicted in FIG. 17).

FIG. 26 illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limitingcomputer-implemented method 2600 that can facilitate an intelligentbattery cell with integrated monitoring and switches in accordance withone or more embodiments described herein. Repetitive description of likeelements and/or processes employed in respective embodiments is omittedfor sake of brevity.

At 2602, computer-implemented method 2600 can comprise employing, by asystem (e.g., via device 100, smart cell module 104, the monitoringcomponent described above with reference to FIG. 1, etc.) operativelycoupled to a processor (e.g., processor 302), one or more sensors (e.g.,one or more sensors 306) integrated into a battery cell device (e.g.,device 100) to collect parameter data of the battery cell device (e.g.,parameter data defined above with reference to FIG. 1 such as, forinstance, temperature, pressure, chemistry, acceleration, current,voltage, etc.).

At 2604, computer-implemented method 2600 can comprise configuring, bythe system (e.g., via device 100, smart cell module 104, the machinelearning component described above with reference to FIG. 1, etc.), thebattery cell device in a defined operation mode (e.g., off mode 402,positive mode 404, negative mode 406, bypass mode 408, etc.) based onthe parameter data.

FIG. 27 illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limitingcomputer-implemented method 2700 that can facilitate an intelligentbattery cell with integrated monitoring and switches in accordance withone or more embodiments described herein. Repetitive description of likeelements and/or processes employed in respective embodiments is omittedfor sake of brevity.

At 2702, computer-implemented method 2700 can comprise sorting cells(e.g., devices 100) in SoC order. For example, each device 100 in abattery pack (e.g., battery pack 908) can store (e.g., on memory 304) arecord (e.g., a list, a database, etc.) having its own SoC and that ofall other devices 100 in the battery pack, where the multiple devices100 in such a battery pack can collectively constitute, for instance, amulticore processing system and/or a distributed computing networksystem. In this example, such a record can constitute an original recordthat can be generated at a certain time to (e.g., at the start ofcomputer-implemented method 2700), where such a record can comprise anoriginal SoC of each device 100 that can be determined at such a certaintime to (e.g., each device 100 can send its original SoC to all otherdevices 100 in the battery pack at such a certain time to and eachdevice 100 can generate such a record comprising the SoC status of alldevices 100). In this example, by using such a record, each device 100can sort (e.g., rank) all devices 100 in the battery pack according tothe SoC of each device 100. For instance, each device 100 can rank alldevices 100 in order from highest SoC to lowest SoC or vice versa.

At 2704, computer-implemented method 2700 can comprise designatingdischarge priority for each cell (e.g., for each device 100). Forexample, each device 100 in a battery pack (e.g., battery pack 908) canstore (e.g., on memory 304) a record (e.g., a list, a database, etc.)comprising a discharge priority corresponding to each device 100 in thebattery pack, where the multiple devices 100 in such a battery pack cancollectively constitute, for instance, a multicore processing systemand/or a distributed computing network system. In this example, such adischarge priority can be generated and/or revised by each device 100based on the SoC status of all devices 100 in the battery pack. Forinstance, such a discharge priority can be generated (e.g., by eachdevice 100 as described above at 2704) and/or revised (e.g., by eachdevice 100 at some time subsequent to the above described time to, asdescribed below at 2708) based on the sorting operation performed at2702 described above (e.g., which can be based on the original SoCstatus of each device 100 in the battery pack at a certain time to) orbased on a certain device 100 updating its SoC as described below at2706 and 2708.

At 2706, computer-implemented method 2700 can comprise a certain cell N(e.g., a certain device 100 that can be denoted as “N”) updating its SoCand broadcasting it to all other cells. For example, at some time tithat can be subsequent to the above described to, a certain device 100that can be denoted as “N” in a battery pack (e.g., battery pack 908)that can comprise multiple devices 100 can update its original SoCstatus on the record it can store on memory 304 as described above at2702, where the multiple devices 100 in such a battery pack cancollectively constitute, for instance, a multicore processing systemand/or a distributed computing network system. Additionally, oralternatively, such a certain device 100 that can be denoted as “N” canperiodically (e.g., every second) update its current SoC status on therecord it can store on memory 304 as described above at 2702. Eachdevice 100 in the battery pack can further distribute to all devices 100in the battery pack its revised SoC status and/or a revised version ofthe record described above at 2702 comprising the SoC status of eachdevice 100 in the battery pack, where such a revised version of such arecord can comprise the revised SoC status of such a certain device 100that can be denoted as “N.”

At 2708, computer-implemented method 2700 can comprise each cellupdating its internal priority list (e.g., the discharge priority thatcan be stored on memory 304 as described above at 2704). For example,each device 100 in a battery pack (e.g., battery pack 908) comprisingmultiple devices 100 can update its internal discharge priority based onthe certain device 100 that can be denoted as “N” updating its SoCstatus and broadcasting such a revised SoC status to all other devices100 in the battery pack as described above at 2708. In this example, themultiple devices 100 in such a battery pack can collectively constitute,for instance, a multicore processing system and/or a distributedcomputing network system. In these examples, each device 100 can updateits own internal discharge priority that can be stored on memory 304 toreflect such a revised SoC status of such a certain device 100 that canbe denoted as “N.”

At 2710, computer-implemented method 2700 can comprise increasing N(e.g., increasing, by the certain device 100 that can be denoted as “N,”the duty cycle of such a certain device 100). For example, as eachdevice 100 in a battery pack (e.g., battery pack 908) can control (e.g.,increase, decrease, etc.) its own electrical power output (e.g., ACand/or DC power output, as described above with reference to FIGS.1-10C) such a certain device 100 that can be denoted as “N” can increaseits own duty cycle (e.g., amplitude, duration, etc.). In this example,one or more other devices 100 in such a battery pack can then decreasetheir own duty cycle accordingly to, for instance, maintain a certainelectrical output (e.g., AC and/or DC electrical output) of therespective devices 100 and/or of the battery pack. In these examples,the multiple devices 100 in such a battery pack (e.g., battery pack 908)can collectively constitute, for instance, a multicore processing systemand/or a distributed computing network system.

In some embodiments, steps 2706 to 2710 can be repeated periodically(e.g., every second) to, for instance, maintain a certain electricaloutput (e.g., AC and/or DC electrical output) of the respective devices100 and/or a certain electrical output of the battery pack.

It should be appreciated that computer-implemented method 2700 can beimplemented as a balancing algorithm (e.g., a distributed algorithm).For example, computer-implemented method 2700 can be implemented tobalance (e.g., modify, adjust, etc.) the electric power output (e.g., ACand/or DC power output) of each device 100 in a battery pack (e.g.,battery pack 908) and/or to balance (e.g., modify, adjust, etc.) theelectric power output (e.g., AC and/or DC power output) of the batterypack. In some embodiments, computer-implemented method 2700 can beimplemented to perform such balancing of the electric power output ofeach device 100 and/or the electric power output of such a battery packcomprising multiple devices 100 without using a control unit (e.g., aVCU) to facilitate such balancing.

FIG. 28 illustrates an orthogonal view of an example, non-limitingdevice 2800 that can facilitate an intelligent battery cell withintegrated monitoring and switches in accordance with one or moreembodiments described herein. Repetitive description of like elementsand/or processes employed in respective embodiments is omitted for sakeof brevity.

Device 2800 illustrated in FIG. 28 can comprise an example, non-limitingalternative embodiment of device 100 described above with reference toFIG. 1. For example, as illustrated in the example embodiment depictedin FIG. 28, device 2800 can comprise an existing cell 2802 having smartcell module 104 coupled thereto (e.g., where smart cell module 104 cancomprise an add-on component that can be coupled to an already existingbattery cell (e.g., a standard battery cell) denoted as existing cell2802 in FIG. 28). Existing cell 2802 can comprise the same structureand/or functionality as that of active cell material 106 described abovewith reference to FIG. 1.

As illustrated in the example embodiment depicted in FIG. 28, smart cellmodule 104 can be coupled to existing cell 2802 via existing cellterminals 2804 a, 2804 b. Existing cell terminals 2804 a, 2804 b cancomprise the same structure and/or functionality as that of cellmaterial poles 106 a, 106 b described above with reference to FIG. 1. Insome embodiments, cell poles 102 a, 102 b (e.g., DC terminals) and/orcell poles 1306 a. 1306 b (e.g., AC terminals) can be formed on and/orcoupled to smart cell module 104 as depicted in FIG. 28. In someembodiments, cell poles 102 a, 102 b (e.g., DC terminals) and/or cellpoles 1306a, 1306 b (e.g., AC terminals) can be formed on and/or coupledto smart cell module 104 at another location on smart cell module 104and/or in another orientation.

Device 2800 can further comprise a converter such as, for instance, aDC/DC converter 2806 that can be coupled to, formed on, and/orintegrated with smart cell module 104. In an embodiment, DC/DC converter2806 can be coupled to one or more components of device 100 and/or smartcell module 104 (e.g., to cell poles 102 a, 102 b, one or more switches308, etc.). DC/DC converter 2806 can comprise a DC/DC converter oranother type of converter. In some embodiments, DC/DC converter 2806 canbe coupled to smart cell module 104, for example, as illustrated in FIG.28. In some embodiments, DC/DC converter 2806 can be coupled to smartcell module 104 at another location on smart cell module 104 and/or inanother orientation (e.g., vertically, etc.).

DC/DC converter 2806 can convert a source of DC voltage that can beyielded by device 100 and/or smart cell module 104 from one voltagelevel to another voltage level (e.g., from a lower DC voltage level to ahigher DC voltage level or vice versa). In some embodiments, a batterypack (e.g., battery pack 908) that can comprise multiple device 100 canalso comprise DC/DC converter 2806. In these embodiments, DC/DCconverter 2806 can convert a source of DC voltage that can be yielded bysuch a battery pack (e.g., a source of DC voltage that can be yielded byone or more devices 100 in the battery pack) from one voltage level toanother voltage level (e.g., from a lower DC voltage level to a higherDC voltage level or vice versa).

In the example embodiment depicted in FIG. 28, smart cell module 104 ofdevice 2800 can comprise one or more wireless communication devices2808. Such one or more wireless communication devices 2808 can comprise,for example, one or more transmitters, receivers, transceivers, antenna,and/or another wireless communication device that can facilitatewireless communication (e.g., via network 112) between multiple devices2800 (e.g., as described above with reference to device 100 and FIGS. 1and 3).

FIG. 29 illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limitingcomputer-implemented method 2900 that can facilitate an intelligentbattery cell with integrated monitoring and switches in accordance withone or more embodiments described herein. Repetitive description of likeelements and/or processes employed in respective embodiments is omittedfor sake of brevity.

At 2902, computer-implemented method 2900 can comprise operating, by asystem (e.g., via device 100, smart cell module 104, processor 302,etc.) operatively coupled to a processor (e.g., processor 302), one ormore sensors (e.g., one or more sensors 306) of an internal circuit(e.g., smart cell module 104) that is integrated in a battery celldevice (e.g., device 100) and coupled to active battery cell material(e.g., active cell material 106) of the battery cell device.

At 2904, computer-implemented method 2900 can comprise monitoring, bythe system (e.g., via device 100, smart cell module 104, processor 302,one or more sensors 306, etc.), one or more parameters (e.g., parameterdata defined above with reference to FIG. 1 such as, for instance,temperature, pressure, chemistry, acceleration, current, voltage, etc.)of the battery cell device based on the operating.

FIG. 30 illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limitingcomputer-implemented method 3000 that can facilitate an intelligentbattery cell with integrated monitoring and switches in accordance withone or more embodiments described herein. Repetitive description of likeelements and/or processes employed in respective embodiments is omittedfor sake of brevity.

At 3002, computer-implemented method 3000 can comprise providing, by asystem (e.g., via device 100, smart cell module 104, processor 302, oneor more switches 308, etc.) operatively coupled to a processor (e.g.,processor 302), a first defined voltage (e.g., a low voltage, a highvoltage, etc.) from an internal circuit (e.g., smart cell module 104)that is integrated in a battery cell device (e.g., device 100) and thatis coupled to active battery cell material (e.g., active cell material106) and a converter (e.g., DC/DC converter 2806) of the battery celldevice.

At 3004, computer-implemented method 3000 can comprise converting, bythe system (e.g., via device 100, smart cell module 104, processor 302,one or more switches 308, DC/DC converter 2806, etc.), the first definedvoltage to a second defined voltage (e.g., a high voltage, a lowvoltage, etc.).

The various embodiments of the subject disclosure described herein(e.g., devices 100, 200, 2800, circuits 300, 1300, 1400, 1600,electronic systems 902, 904, 906, 1000 a, battery pack 1102 c, system1200, wire diagram 1700, etc.) can be associated with varioustechnologies. For example, the various embodiments of the subjectdisclosure described herein (e.g., devices 100, 200, 2800, circuits 300,1300, 1400, 1600, electronic systems 902, 904, 906, 1000 a, battery pack1102 c, system 1200, wire diagram 1700, etc.) can be associated withbattery device and/or battery cell device technologies, battery packtechnologies, battery management system (BMS) technologies, electricdriveline technologies, electric vehicle technologies, semiconductingand/or superconducting circuit technologies, computing device and/orcommunication device technologies, machine learning technologies,artificial intelligence technologies, cloud computing technologies,and/or other technologies.

The various embodiments of the subject disclosure described herein(e.g., devices 100, 200, 2800, circuits 300, 1300, 1400, 1600,electronic systems 902, 904, 906, 1000 a, battery pack 1102 c, system1200, wire diagram 1700, etc.) can provide technical improvements tosystems, devices, components, operational steps, and/or processing stepsassociated with the various technologies identified above. For example,the various embodiments of the subject disclosure described herein(e.g., devices 100, 200, 2800, circuits 300, 1300, 1400, 1600,electronic systems 902, 904, 906, 1000 a, battery pack 1102 c, system1200, wire diagram 1700, etc.) can enable an intelligent battery cellwith integrated monitoring and switches. For instance, as describedherein, a battery cell device (e.g., device 100) can monitor (e.g., viaone or more sensors 306) and/or log itself using an internal circuit(e.g., smart cell module 104) comprising a processor (e.g., processor302) and a memory (e.g., memory 304). The battery cell device (e.g.,device 100) can control its connection (e.g., via one or more switches308) to other battery cell devices (e.g., to one or more other devices100) using different operation modes (e.g., off mode 402, positive mode404, negative mode 406, or bypass mode 408). Connection to other batterycell devices allows a battery pack comprising the battery cell device(e.g., battery pack 908) to vary in voltage and/or to provide an ACand/or DC power supply, thereby eliminating the need for many auxiliarysystems (e.g., converter, inverter, DC battery, etc.) in an electronicsystem (e.g., an electric driveline in an EV) comprising the batterycell device (e.g., device 100).

In another example, as device 100 can comprise a modular component thatcan function and/or be controlled independent of all other batterydevices and/or battery cell devices (e.g., other devices 100) that canbe in a battery pack (e.g., battery pack 908), device 100 can be removedfrom such a battery pack and/or replaced without affecting the structureand/or functionality of the battery pack and/or any other devices 100 inthe battery pack. In another example, as device 100 can use its ownelectric energy to power one or more of its components (e.g., activecell material 106, processor 302, memory 304, sensor(s) 306, switch(es)308, etc.), device 100 can thereby eliminate galvanic contact of suchcomponent(s) with one or more devices that are external to device 100(e.g., another battery device and/or battery cell device in a batterypack comprising device 100). By eliminating such galvanic contact,device 100 can thereby provide enhanced safety when compared to priorart battery device and/or battery cell device technologies.Additionally, or alternatively, by eliminating such galvanic contact,device 100 can thereby eliminate hardware such as, for instance, cables,which are used in existing battery pack and/or battery management system(BMS) technologies (e.g., BMS wires coupled to one or more batterydevices and/or battery cell devices in a battery pack).

In another example, as device 100 can be configured (e.g., set) tooperate in a bypass mode (e.g., bypass mode 408), it can mitigate riskof injury and/or damage to a person and/or property during, forinstance, installation and/or maintenance of device 100. In anotherexample, each device 100 in a battery pack (e.g., battery packs 908,1102 c) can use of all of its electric energy, device 100 can therebyeliminate the use of balancing techniques (e.g., load balancingtechniques) employed by existing battery packs (e.g., existing batterypack 1102a and/or 1102 b described above and illustrated in FIGS. 11Aand 11B, respectively). Additionally, or alternatively, in this example,any variation in electrical capacity of each device 100 in such abattery pack will not be a limit to the electrical capacity of thebattery pack.

The various embodiments of the subject disclosure described herein(e.g., devices 100, 200, 2800, circuits 300, 1300, 1400, 1600,electronic systems 902, 904, 906, 1000 a, battery pack 1102 c, system1200, wire diagram 1700, etc.) can provide technical improvements to aprocessing unit (e.g., processor 302) associated with one or more of thevarious embodiments of the subject disclosure described herein (e.g.,devices 100, 200, 2800, circuits 300, 1300, 1400, 1600, electronicsystems 902, 904, 906, 1000 a, battery pack 1102 c, system 1200, wirediagram 1700, etc.). For example, as described above with reference toFIG. 12, the various embodiments of the subject disclosure describedherein (e.g., devices 100, 200, 2800, circuits 300, 1300, 1400, 1600,electronic systems 902, 904, 906, 1000 a, battery pack 1102 c, system1200, wire diagram 1700, etc.) can facilitate transfer of processingfunctions across one or more devices 100 in a battery pack (e.g.,battery pack 908). Therefore, in this example, device 100 can reduce theprocessing work load of a processor that can be external to device 100(e.g., a processor in a computing device and/or a communication deviceassociated with and/or powered by a battery pack comprising device 100),thereby facilitating improved efficiency and/or performance of such anexternal processor and/or reduced computational costs of such aprocessor.

Based on such above described technical improvements to systems,devices, components, operational steps, and/or processing stepsassociated with the various technologies identified above, and/or to aprocessing unit associated with one or more of the various embodimentsof the subject disclosure (e.g., devices 100, 200, 2800, circuits 300,1300, 1400, 1600, electronic systems 902, 904, 906, 1000 a, battery pack1102 c, system 1200, wire diagram 1700, etc.), a practical applicationof such various embodiments of the subject disclosure is that they canbe implemented in a battery pack associated with an electronic system toprovide self-monitoring capabilities, varying voltage supply, as well asan AC and/or DC power supply to the electronic system. For example, apractical application of such various embodiments of the subjectdisclosure is that they can be implemented in a battery pack of anelectric driveline in an EV.

It should be appreciated that the various embodiments of the subjectdisclosure described herein (e.g., devices 100, 200, 2800, circuits 300,1300, 1400, 1600, electronic systems 902, 904, 906, 1000 a, battery pack1102 c, system 1200, wire diagram 1700, etc.) provide a new approachdriven by relatively battery pack technologies. For example, one or moreembodiments of the subject disclosure described herein (e.g., device100a, etc.) provide a new approach to designing, commissioning,maintaining, operating, and/or decommissioning a single battery deviceand/or battery cell device (e.g., device 100) in a battery pack, as sucha single battery device and/or battery cell device can comprise anintelligent (e.g., “smart”) and modular battery device and/or batterycell device.

The various embodiments of the subject disclosure described herein(e.g., devices 100, 200, 2800, circuits 300, 1300, 1400, 1600,electronic systems 902, 904, 906, 1000 a, battery pack 1102 c, system1200, wire diagram 1700, etc.) can employ hardware or software to solveproblems that are highly technical in nature, that are not abstract andthat cannot be performed as a set of mental acts by a human. In someembodiments, one or more of the processes described herein can beperformed by one or more specialized computers (e.g., a specializedprocessing unit, a specialized classical computer, a specialized quantumcomputer, etc.) to execute defined tasks related to the varioustechnologies identified above. The various embodiments of the subjectdisclosure described herein (e.g., devices 100, 200, 2800, circuits 300,1300, 1400, 1600, electronic systems 902, 904, 906, 1000 a, battery pack1102 c, system 1200, wire diagram 1700, etc.) can be employed to solvenew problems that arise through advancements in technologies mentionedabove, employment of quantum computing systems, cloud computing systems,computer architecture, and/or another technology.

It is to be appreciated that the various embodiments of the subjectdisclosure described herein (e.g., devices 100, 200, 2800, circuits 300,1300, 1400, 1600, electronic systems 902, 904, 906, 1000 a, battery pack1102 c, system 1200, wire diagram 1700, etc.) can utilize variouscombinations of electrical components, mechanical components, andcircuitry that cannot be replicated in the mind of a human or performedby a human, as the various operations that can be executed by thevarious embodiments of the subject disclosure described herein (e.g.,devices 100, 200, 2800, circuits 300, 1300, 1400, 1600, electronicsystems 902, 904, 906, 1000 a, battery pack 1102 c, system 1200, wirediagram 1700, etc.) are operations that are greater than the capabilityof a human mind. For instance, the amount of data processed, the speedof processing such data, or the types of data processed by the variousembodiments of the subject disclosure described herein (e.g., devices100, 200, 2800, circuits 300, 1300, 1400, 1600, electronic systems 902,904, 906, 1000 a, battery pack 1102 c, system 1200, wire diagram 1700,etc.) over a certain period of time can be greater, faster, or differentthan the amount, speed, or data type that can be processed by a humanmind over the same period of time.

The various embodiments of the subject disclosure described herein(e.g., devices 100, 200, 2800, circuits 300, 1300, 1400, 1600,electronic systems 902, 904, 906, 1000 a, battery pack 1102 c, system1200, wire diagram 1700, etc.) can also be fully operational towardsperforming one or more other functions (e.g., fully powered on, fullyexecuted, etc.) while also performing the various operations describedherein. It should be appreciated that such simultaneousmulti-operational execution is beyond the capability of a human mind. Itshould also be appreciated that the various embodiments of the subjectdisclosure described herein (e.g., devices 100, 200, 2800, circuits 300,1300, 1400, 1600, electronic systems 902, 904, 906, 1000 a, battery pack1102 c, system 1200, wire diagram 1700, etc.) can include informationthat is impossible to obtain manually by an entity, such as a humanuser. For example, the type, amount, and/or variety of informationincluded in devices 100, 200, circuits 300, 1300, 1400, 1600, electronicsystems 902, 904, 906, 1000 a, battery pack 1102 c, system 1200, and/orwire diagram 1700 can be more complex than information obtained manuallyby a human user.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device, comprising: active battery cellmaterial; and an internal circuit coupled to the active battery cellmaterial and comprising: one or more switches coupled to battery cellpoles of the device; and a processor that operates the one or moreswitches to provide a defined value of electric potential at the batterycell poles.
 2. The device of claim 1, further comprising one or moresecond active battery cell materials coupled to at least one internalload balancing component or circuit on the internal circuit, wherein theprocessor operates the one or more switches to provide at least one of apositive electric potential, a negative electric potential, or anelectric potential of zero volts at the battery cell poles based onelectric energy of at least one of the active battery cell material orthe one or more second active battery cell materials.
 3. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the internal circuit further comprises: a memory; andone or more sensors that collect parameter data of the device, andwherein the processor stores the parameter data on the memory.
 4. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the internal circuit further comprises: oneor more sensors that collect parameter data of the device, and whereinthe processor operates the one or more switches based on the parameterdata to provide the defined value of electric potential at the batterycell poles.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the internal circuitfurther comprises: one or more sensors that collect parameter data ofthe device; and one or more communication components that use at leastone of a wired communication network or a wireless communication networkto provide the parameter data to a second device.
 6. The device of claim1, wherein the internal circuit further comprises: a switch controllerthat operates the one or more switches to provide the defined value ofelectric potential at the battery cell poles.
 7. The device of claim 1,further comprising: a converter that is coupled to at least one of theinternal circuit or the battery cell poles and that converts a firstdefined voltage provided at the battery cell poles to a second definedvoltage.
 8. A computer-implemented method, comprising: operating, by asystem operatively coupled to a processor, one or more switches of aninternal circuit integrated in a battery cell device using electricalenergy stored in the battery cell device; and providing, by the system,a defined value of electric potential at battery cell poles of thebattery cell device based on the operating.
 9. The computer-implementedmethod of claim 8, wherein the providing comprises: providing, by thesystem, at least one of a positive electric potential, a negativeelectric potential, or an electric potential of zero volts at thebattery cell poles based on the operating.
 10. The computer-implementedmethod of claim 8, further comprising: drawing, by the system, theelectrical energy stored in the battery cell device; and operating, bythe system, one or more electronic components of at least one of theinternal circuit or the battery cell device based on the drawing. 11.The computer-implemented method of claim 8, further comprising:collecting, by the system, parameter data of the battery cell device atone or more sensors of the internal circuit; and storing, by the system,the parameter data on a memory of the internal circuit based on thecollecting.
 12. The computer-implemented method of claim 8, furthercomprising: collecting, by the system, parameter data of the batterycell device at one or more sensors of the internal circuit; andoperating, by the system, the one or more switches based on theparameter data to provide the defined value of electric potential at thebattery cell poles.
 13. The computer-implemented method of claim 8,further comprising: collecting, by the system, parameter data of thebattery cell device at one or more sensors of the internal circuit; andemploying, by the system, one or more communication components of theinternal circuit to provide the parameter data over at least one of awired communication network or a wireless communication network to adevice that is external to the battery cell device.
 14. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 8, further comprising: employing,by the system, a converter of the internal circuit to convert a firstdefined voltage provided at the battery cell poles to a second definedvoltage.
 15. A device, comprising: active battery cell material; and aninternal circuit coupled to the active battery cell material andcomprising at least one electronic component that uses electrical energyfrom the active battery cell material to operate.
 16. The device ofclaim 15, wherein the at least one electronic component uses theelectrical energy from the active battery cell material to operate andto eliminate at least one of hardware that couples the device to asecond device or galvanic contact of the device with the second device.17. The device of claim 15, wherein the internal circuit furthercomprises: one or more switches coupled to battery cell poles of thedevice; and a processor that operates the one or more switches toprovide a defined value of electric potential at the battery cell poles,and wherein at least one of the one or more switches or the processoruses the electrical energy from the active battery cell material tooperate.
 18. The device of claim 15, wherein the internal circuitfurther comprises: a memory; one or more sensors that collect parameterdata of the device; and a processor that stores the parameter data onthe memory, and wherein at least one of the memory, the one or moresensors, or the processor uses the electrical energy from the activebattery cell material to operate.
 19. The device of claim 15, whereinthe internal circuit further comprises: one or more switches coupled tobattery cell poles of the device; one or more sensors that collectparameter data of the device; and a processor that operates the one ormore switches based on the parameter data to provide a defined value ofelectric potential at battery cell poles of the device, and wherein atleast one of the one or more switches, the one or more sensors, or theprocessor uses the electrical energy from the active battery cellmaterial to operate.
 20. The device of claim 15, wherein the internalcircuit further comprises: one or more sensors that collect parameterdata of the device; and one or more communication components that use atleast one of a wired communication network or a wireless communicationnetwork to provide the parameter data to a second device, and wherein atleast one of the one or more sensors or the one or more communicationcomponents uses the electrical energy from the active battery cellmaterial to operate.